Santa Cruz man arrested in child molestation case

A Santa Cruz man was arraigned on child molestation charges in Santa Cruz County Superior Court on Monday, according to the Santa Cruz Police Department.

Officers said Gerardo Garcia Gandara, 53, was arrested on Tuesday for multiple counts of lewd acts with a minor and sexual penetration of a juvenile. The arrest resulted from allegations by Gandara’s female relatives.

Investigators said the sexual abuse happened in Santa Cruz while the children were in Gandara’s home on Chestnut Street starting in 1978 until 2007. The victims’ ages ranged from 3 to 11-years-old.

Police believe there are more victims of sexual abuse by Gandara in the area and would like those victims or their family members to contact them.

Anyone with information should call the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at 831-420-5820.