17-year-old held hostage for nearly a week in Big Bear
Deputies in Big Bear arrested a 26-year-old man for allegedly holding a 17-year-old girl hostage for nearly a week.
Investigators claim Zackary Dourousseau forced the teen to have sex with him in exchange for her freedom.
The ordeal started on March 1 when Dourousseau allegedly picked up the girl in his car and brought her to his home in Big Bear Lake. Investigators claimed he asked her for sex, but she refused.
Deputies claimed Dourousseau held her for six days, giving her very little food and water while also making her drink a lot of alcohol.
One neighbor recalls seeing the Dourousseau and the victim outside of the home.
"I saw him here with a young girl a few days ago, that's the last I really saw him," said Mike Stilkey, who lives nearby. "I just saw him and her go into the side of the house. ... She looked young, small, hair was scraggly. She looked a mess."
The 17-year-old's nightmare came to an end when Dourousseau forced her to drive him to work at the Jack in the Box location in Big Bear Village. When they got there, he locked her inside the car. However, she was able to escape and ran to a local business where employees called for help.
"She walked in and said she was kidnapped," said Tori, one of the women who helped hide the victim until authorities could arrive. "She didn't share much. She was extremely, just, frazzled. Like, she wasn't talking to much, she wasn't sharing too much. But, it is winter up in Big Bear and she wasn't adequately clothed, so you could kinda tell that something was off."
Deputies first arrested Dourousseau when he went by the store in search of the teen. He was booked on suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment and statutory rape but has since bailed.
On Wednesday, he was officially charged with statutory rape.
KCAL News attempted to speak with a person at the suspect's home but was denied comment.
Investigators urge anyone with information to contact Big Bear Sheriff Station at (909) 866-0100. Those wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-782-7463 or leave information on the website at www.wetip.com.
