SANTA ANA – A 41-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of sexually assaulting four girls, whose families he knew from church.

The man was identified by Santa Ana police as Jose Aguilera of Santa Ana.

Aguilera befriended four families while attending Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Santa Ana. Aguilera put himself in situations where he was alone with the girls, all between 9 and 12 years old, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department.

“He befriended the families to (the point) where they felt confident leaving their children in his care,” Bertagna said.

Bertagna said Aguilera is suspected of violating two girls at his home in Tustin, before moving to Santa Ana, where he is suspected of assaulting two others. The incidents date to early last year; the most recent incident was in July.

One of the girls reported an encounter with Aguilera to a family member in June or July, Bertagna said.

Santa Ana and Tustin police detectives arrested Aguilera on suspicion of multiple counts of sexual assault against children. Detectives believe there may be additional victims because of the way Aguilera was able to get himself alone with the children.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Ana Police Department at 714-245-8660.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2478 or lcasiano@ocregister.com