A 16-year-old Banning girl who reportedly ran away from home last week was the focus of a region-wide search Wednesday.
Juliet Ruiz was reported missing Saturday night after she left her family’s apartment at 456 E. Nicolet St., less than a quarter-mile north of Interstate 10, according to the Banning Police Department.
Capt. Brandon Smith said Juliet abruptly left the residence and walked out of the apartment complex going eastbound shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday.
“Family members advised Juliet (left) … her communication devices,” Smith said. “She was captured on a local business’ security camera … walking alone, southbound on San Gorgonio Avenue, toward the railroad tracks.”
After the girl didn’t return home within a couple of hours, her loved ones called 911 to report her missing.
Smith said patrol officers scoured the area but couldn’t locate her. Detectives took over the investigation and began canvassing the San Gorgonio Pass, trying to ascertain whether the youth might have been seen since the weekend.
A possible sighting originated from a Ross store in Beaumont, but that turned out to be false, according to Smith.
Police are seeking the public’s help in locating the runaway. She is 5-feet-5 inches tall, weighing 125 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair, styled with a pink or red streak. She was wearing black pants and a pink “puffy” jacket when she left home.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts was urged to contact detectives at 951-922-3170.