Lewd Act Near Kellogg School Leads to One Arrest

A fifth grade student walking to Kellogg Elementary School went for help after she saw a man “committing a lewd act” in the driver’s seat of a white Nissan Altima near Berkeley Road and Cambridge Drive at about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday morning, states a Sheriff’s Office press release. The 10-year-old memorized the car’s license plate and told a school crossing guard, who in turn alerted school administrators and law enforcement.

Tracing the Nissan to its owner, Sheriff’s deputies apprehended Jose Figueroa, 43, in connection with the incident that morning at his home on the 100 block of Dearborn Place in Goleta, read the Sheriff’s Office press release. He was booked into County Jail for indecent exposure, committing a lewd act, and harassing a minor.

“This serves as a reminder to all of us to encourage our children to be aware of their surroundings,” wrote the Goleta Union School District in a Tuesday afternoon email to parents.

Prior to Tuesday, three similar cases near Goleta schools had been recently reported. Community members with information about these cases or any incidents involving the suspect are asked to call (805) 681-4171.