Novato man accused of holding girl captive in sex case

A 54-year-old Novato man was arrested Monday on suspicion of holding a 17-year-old girl captive and sexually assaulting her until she was rescued by students from Novato High School, according to police reports.
Hector Larico was booked into the county jail on allegations of rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment, unlawful sex with a minor, criminal threats and using false citizenship documents. Bail was set at $500,000.

The investigation began Friday, when Novato police received a report that the students had rescued a girl who was being held captive at a residence on Tinker Way, fighting off her abductor. According to the preliminary report, the girl had been held for about five days.

The girl, a resident of Guatemala, told a social worker she had been brought to the United States illegally, held against her will and sexually assaulted at the residence, said Novato police Sgt. Keith Heiden.

Investigators then learned the suspected kidnapper had threatened to harm the girl's infant son if she told authorities about the sexual assault, Heiden said.

The girl was placed into protective custody by county social workers. Larico was arrested Monday afternoon.

Prosecutors were still reviewing reports Monday and did not file charges. An initial court appearance was expected Tuesday.

In addition to the bail amount, Larico is being detained on a federal immigration hold pending an investigation into his citizenship status.

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_11874079

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DA still reviewing kidnap, molest allegations in Novato
Staff Report
Posted: 03/10/2009 05:51:30 PM PDT
Updated: 03/10/2009 05:51:31 PM PDT


A 54-year-old Novato man accused of kidnapping and raping a teenage girl remained in the county jail Tuesday while prosecutors reviewed whether to file charges.
Hector Larico was arrested Monday on suspicion of holding a 17-year-old Guatemalan immigrant for several days at a Tinker Way residence and sexually assaulting the girl, police said. According to incident reports, several Novato High School students learned about the abduction and rescued the girl after fighting off the suspect.

Larico was expected to return to court Wednesday to learn whether he will be charged. He is also being detained without bail on a federal immigration hold.

-Gary Klien


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