Gardena 'witch doctor' suspected of groping women
A man known in the community as a "witch doctor" was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of groping two female customers at his Gardena natural foods business.Rigoberto Padilla Carranza, 53, who runs Productos Naturales Rigo at 2210 Marine Ave., was arrested about 11 a.m. on suspicion of sexual battery, Gardena police Lt. Steve Prendergast said.
Two women independently told police they sought Carranza's treatment for back and other pain.
"His reputation is out there for being a witch doctor," Prendergast said.
The women told detectives that when Carranza was treating their pain,
he touched them in inappropriate areas, the lieutenant said.
Police suspect there are more victims that have not come forward. Prendergast asked anyone with information to contact detectives at 310-217-9639.
Carranza was at the wheel of a van May 6, 1986 that struck and killed a Torrance woman at the Hamilton Adult Education Center in Torrance.
Police said his accelerator stuck.
About a dozen adult woodworking students were refinishing and repairing furniture in an open-air courtyard at the 182nd Street campus when Carranza's 1977 Dodge van came hurtling toward them.
The students scattered.
The van continued through the rear parking lot of the campus, missing poles and trees and bushes. It struck a parked car, traveled across a grass courtyard, hit the woman and came to rest between a chain-link fence and a parked car.
Mary McKennon, 53, of Torrance died later at a hospital.
Carranza, who suffered head injuries, also was treated at a hospital
.
Records indicated Carranza did not face charges.
Police suspect there are more victims that have not come forward. Prendergast asked anyone with information to contact detectives at 310-217-9639.
Carranza was at the wheel of a van May 6, 1986 that struck and killed a Torrance woman at the Hamilton Adult Education Center in Torrance.
Police said his accelerator stuck.
About a dozen adult woodworking students were refinishing and repairing furniture in an open-air courtyard at the 182nd Street campus when Carranza's 1977 Dodge van came hurtling toward them.
The students scattered.
The van continued through the rear parking lot of the campus, missing poles and trees and bushes. It struck a parked car, traveled across a grass courtyard, hit the woman and came to rest between a chain-link fence and a parked car.
Mary McKennon, 53, of Torrance died later at a hospital.
Carranza, who suffered head injuries, also was treated at a hospital
.
Records indicated Carranza did not face charges.
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Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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This is crazy!