Suspect "Ernie the Uber" arrested in SoCal sting targeting teen boy

Santa Ana police lured 45-year-old Ernesto Orozco Villa into a sting after a mother found disturbing texts on her teen's phone. Villa was arrested near Bristol Street and McFadden Avenue just before 1 a.m.

"Ernie the Uber" walks into police trap in Orange County

A man known to his alleged victim as "Ernie the Uber" was arrested early Wednesday morning after Santa Ana police set up a sting operation targeting a suspected child sex predator, NY Post Metro reports.

The case began when the mother of a 16-year-old discovered disturbing messages on her child's phone and contacted the Santa Ana Police Department. Investigators identified the sender as Ernesto Orozco Villa, 45, of Westminster.

Patrol officers coordinated with the department's drone unit to lure Villa into agreeing to meet the boy in Orange County. Just before 1 a.m., as Villa sat waiting in his car near the intersection of Bristol Street and McFadden Avenue, officers moved in and took him into custody.

Arrest footage released by the department showed Villa smiling and briefly speaking in Spanish before stepping out of his vehicle. Officers handcuffed him and placed him in the back of a patrol car.

Villa was booked into the Santa Ana Jail. Police stated that he had allegedly requested explicit photos from the teen and was actively working to arrange a sexual encounter.

The department used its social media channels to issue a warning to parents following the arrest. "Parents, talk to your children about the dangers of communicating with strangers online and consider monitoring their devices," Santa Ana police wrote. "Know who your children are talking to."

Source: NY Post Metro