California man allegedly drugged, raped woman he met on Tinder

Authorities are looking for more potential victims of a man arrested in Southern California for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a woman he met on a dating app.

Luis David Garcia, 37, from Bloomington, was arrested Tuesday after he was accused of raping a woman he met on Tinder, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

On Oct. 19, deputies from the Fontana Sheriff's Station responded to a reported rape that occurred at around 3 a.m.

The victim told authorities she had been communicating with Garcia on the app before eventually meeting for the first time at his home. At some point, the woman was drugged, and she awoke to find Garcia performing sexual acts on her, authorities said.

The woman was able to leave Garcia’s home and immediately called 911 for medical assistance.  

A search warrant was served at the suspect's home on the 9700 block of Locust Avenue, where investigators discovered evidence that more unreported victims may exist, authorities said.

“I believe he was actually on several dating apps,” said Cpl. Adam Cervantes from the Fontana Sheriff's Station. “We do have reason to believe that he may have contacted other people, so that's why we’re trying to identify additional victims by releasing his photo.”

Neighbors told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson that Garcia is a renter at the home and reportedly only moved in a few months ago from Nothern California.

The neighbor said he knew little about Garcia and would only see him in passing whenever he spotted him sitting on his black motorcycle out front.

Garcia was arrested on multiple charges, including rape by use of intoxicating substances, rape of an unconscious victim, and sexual penetration with a foreign object. He was booked at the West Valley Detention Center. 

Further details on the exact evidence that was found at the home were not released.

Authorities are warning the public always to use caution when meeting someone from a dating app in real life.

“If you're going to be on an online dating app and it's your first time meeting somebody, you’ll want to meet in a public place where there's good lighting,” Cervantes advised. “Take your own car. Don’t offer to have somebody you don't know pick you up.”

Authorities also advised keeping a close eye on any drinks you may consume during the meetup.

Anyone who may have been a victim of Garcia or has information on the case is urged to contact Detective D. Pedersen at 909-356-6710 or dpedersen@sbcsd.org. 

Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.