Man arrested for kidnap, rape of Rio Rancho juvenile 

RIO RANCHO — New Mexico State Police have arrested a man for kidnapping and raping a Rio Rancho juvenile.

According to a release and Facebook post, officers arrested Ruben Dario Gonzalez, 34, for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old on Feb. 15. He was charged with kidnapping, criminal sexual penetration of a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

"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, Albuquerque Police responded to a call from a gas station, where the juvenile reported she had been kidnapped," the release states.

It adds that the victim told officers that she convinced the suspect to let her use the restroom, which gave her the opportunity to escape and seek help. She identified the suspect's vehicle when police arrived, prompting officers to initiate a pursuit and apprehend the suspect.

"Agents 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," NMSP wrote.

She also stated she was taken to several unknown locations before he took her to a secluded area, where Gonzalez allegedly 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 release states.

When arrested, Gonzalez told officers he is a DoorDash driver and claimed that while delivering orders, he noticed the victim, who appeared upset and offered her a ride home after completing his deliveries.

Gonzalez claimed the 13-year-old victim entered the car voluntarily and that the sexual acts were consensual. He said they used Google translate to communicate. He added he thought the girl was 21 and admitted to smoking marijuana.

Gonzalez, if convicted, could be imprisoned for life.