At about 4:08pm Tuesday, Turlock Police arrived at DoubleTime in the 100 block of N. Tully Road to conduct follow-up in a juvenile molestation investigation.

Detectives posing as a 13-year-old girl had been communicating with Cesar Garcia, 49, of Modesto, on various mobile applications and internet sites, and had arranged to meet with him at the gas station.

Garcia then traveled to Turlock in hopes of meeting and engaging in sexual activity with the 13-year-old decoy.

As Garcia approached the location, officers safely took him into custody.

Garcia was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sex offense, arranging to meet a minor for the purpose of engaging in lewd or lascivious behavior, going to meet a minor for purposes of engaging in lewd or lascivious behavior, and attempting to commit a lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14.

Officer Giovacchini led the case. She returned to patrol after completing a four-year detective assignment in February. Despite this, she continues to play a huge part in these investigations.

“Keeping our youth safe from predators will continue to be my number one priority,” said Giovacchini.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist is encouraged to call Officer Giovacchini at 209-668-6539.