Bowling alley mechanic arrested
for alleged child molestations
May 07, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
An Oxnard man who worked as a mechanic at a Ventura bowling alley pleaded not guilty last week to charges he committed lewd acts upon two 10-year-old girls, one a Santa Paulan, during visits to Buena Lanes.
Ventura Police first investigated Adolfo “AC” Cortez, 54, in 2013 for an alleged incident that occurred at the bowling alley involving a Santa Paula girl, but investigators were unable to get the evidence needed to file charges.
On April 19 at about 6 p.m., Ventura Police received a similar complaint made by the mother of a 10-year-old girl about an alleged incident that also occurred at the popular bowling alley earlier in the day.
The mother of the juvenile told police that Cortez was an employee of Buena Lanes, located on Mesa Verde Road.
Ventura Patrol Officers and Detectives were dispatched to investigate the latest incident and were able to get the evidence needed to make an arrest for both alleged acts.
Cortez was taken into custody on the morning of April 24 at the bowling alley and charged with child annoyance and molestation for both alleged incidents, including the one reported in 2013 involving the Santa Paula girl.
Cortez was booked into the Ventura County Jail on two felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child. Bail was set at $250,000.
At the April 29 arraignment Cortez’s request to reduce bail was denied; he will return to court in June.
Police note that because Cortez worked at Buena Lanes, a popular family venue, and the alleged incidents happened there, they believe there could be other potential child molestation victims.
Police caution parents that even in such family recreational settings they should keep track of where their children at all times.
Anyone with information is asked to call VPD Detective Corporal Kenny Welch at (805) 339-4472.
