Ice Cream Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure

COACHELLA – Following a second reported incident of indecent exposure by a man in an ice cream truck, Coachella Police Officers located and arrested a suspect.

Israel Valdez Ayala was arrested after the second reported incident. Police believe there may have been more yet to be reported.

Coachella Police Department received a report on April 15 of indecent exposure in the area of Mazatlan Drive in Coachella.  The victim, a juvenile female, reported that at around 3:28 p.m. an adult male in an ice cream truck exposed himself to her after she purchased ice cream. The officers canvased the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.

On April 20, a second similar incident occurred at 3:15 p.m. in the area of Pedro Drive and was reported to the Coachella Police dispatcher. The victim gave a description that matched both the adult male and the truck described previously. Officers searched the area and were able to locate and positively identify the suspect who was arrested.

Israel Valdez Ayala, a 40 year old resident of Coachella was identified as the suspect and booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio on charges of indecent exposure. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that no victims were injured in either incident. Ayala posted $2,500 bail on Sunday following his arrest and will be returning to court in June to face charges of misdemeanor exposure. The city of Coachella suspended his business license until further notice.

Mazatlan Drive in Coachella is a curvy street that winds through the neighborhood. It may have made his first getaway easier.

According to a report on KESQ the community is concerned about the events and desert residents are taking extra care in allowing their children to approach ice cream trucks alone. My Desert.com has reported that the mayor is considering banning the vendors entirely.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is still looking for other possible victims. If parents and guardians hear a similar story of victimization from their children, they are requested to contact Investigator Matthew Diaz from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station Investigations Bureau at 760-863-8814.

Read More:

KESQ: East valley ice cream man accused of exposing himself to children

my desert.com: Coachella mayor considers ice cream vendor moratorium