UPDATE: Venezuelan Born Man Lies to 13-Year-Old in Bold Kidnapping/Rape

Albuquerque –

Today, the New Mexico State Police released additional details about the ongoing investigation and the arrest of 34-year-old Ruben Dario Gonzalez. We originally reported this story yesterday, sharing what limited details were provided in the criminal complaint.

On February 15, 2026, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau arrested a 34-year-old man in connection with the investigation into the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.

Through investigative efforts, NMSP agents learned the 13-year-old was reported missing by her family in Sandoval County on the evening of February 14, 2026. In the early hours of February 15th, officers from the Albuquerque Police Department responded to a call from a gas station, where a juvenile reported that she had been kidnapped. The victim told officers that she convinced her kidnapper to let her use the restroom, which gave her the opportunity to escape and seek help. She bravely identified the suspect’s vehicle when police arrived, prompting officers to initiate a pursuit and apprehend the suspect.

Investigators learned that on February 14, the victim was longboarding near her home in Rio Rancho when the suspect approached her, claiming to be an Uber driver sent by her father. The victim reported that the suspect threatened to kill her if she did not get into his vehicle.

The victim stated that the suspect drove her to several unknown locations before taking her to a secluded area. There, he instructed her to smoke marijuana, ordered her into the back seat, and sexually assaulted her. The suspect later took the victim to another location, where he restrained and assaulted her a second time.

The suspect, identified as Ruben Dario Gonzalez, told agents he is currently employed as a DoorDash driver, and claimed that while delivering orders, he noticed the victim who appeared upset and so he offered her a ride home after completing his deliveries. He alleges the victim voluntarily entered his vehicle, and that they communicated with each other using Google Translate. Gonzales stated that the sexual encounter was consensual. He also stated he believed the victim was 21 years old and admitted to smoking marijuana during the encounter.

We reached out to DoorDash to confirm if Gonzalez was a sub-contractor for them. We have not heard back. If we do, we will update this portion.

Gonzalez was arrested and booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center and is charged with the following:

• Kidnapping (in the First Degree)
• Criminal Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree (Child 13-18 Years Old)
• Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

His pretrial detention hearing will be in the coming weeks. Typically, sex crime offenders are held till trial.