Police believe mother knew whereabouts of missing 10-year-old

  Yuma police have arrested an older brother in connection with the disappearance two weeks ago of a 10-year-old girl, who currently is believed to be in Mexico with her mother.

  Richard Alvarez, 18, who was arrested in San Luis, Ariz., Wednesday morning, has been booked into the Yuma County jail on charges of fraudulent schemes, custodial interference, false information to law enforcement and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

  Damaris Herrera Lopez was last seen on Dec. 10 when her parents were exchanging custody at McDonald's Restaurant, 2550 S. 4th Ave. Her father has permanent custody. She became upset at about 8 p.m. and ran toward the alley behind the adjacent YMCA.

  According to a news release issued by Yuma police Wednesday afternoon, they believe Damaris’s mother, Chrystal Abren Lopez, has fled to Mexico and had knowledge where Damaris was all along.

  "We had our suspicions all along that (Lopez) was involved, but we can't act on suspicions," said Officer Clint Norred, spokesman for the Yuma Police Department. "Now those suspicions have been confirmed."

  Norred said Damaris has been at a family member's home in San Luis Rio Colorado, Son., since the night she ran off. Apparently, Alvarez, who is also Lopez's son, was waiting in the alley when Damaris ran off and picked her up and drove her to Mexico the same night.

  Norred added that the investigation into the case is ongoing and that YPD continues to work in collaboration with the Mexican officials and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to locate Damaris and her mother.

    Alvarez was being held on $515,000 bond after his initial appearance Wednesday afternoon before Justice of the Peace David Cooper in Yuma Justice Court.

  In addition to Alvarez's arrest, Lopez was scheduled to appear in Yuma County Superior Court Wednesday morning regarding a child custody matter but she did not show up.

  As a result the judge issued a warrant for her arrest and set a $100,000 cash-only bond. Since she did not attend, she was found to be in contempt of a court order.

  According to court documents, Lopez was granted temporary custody of Herrera for 10 days after she filed a petition with the court and was supposed to be returning the child to her father the night Damaris ran off.

  Norred said Lopez is facing similar charges as her son.

  Damaris is described as a 10-year-old female, 4 feet 8 inches tall and 78 pounds, with brown eyes and shoulder-length brown hair. Chrystal Lopez is described as a 41-year-old female, 5 feet 6 inches, 200 pounds, with brown hair and eyes.

  YPD detectives are asking anyone who knows either one's whereabouts or has any information about this case to call Detective Tejeda or Sgt. Rodriguez at 783-4421 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.