SAN ANTONIO — Law enforcement arrested a Texas man who is accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old girl from San Antonio and driving her to California while sexually assaulting her. Police said someone’s willingness to do the right thing led to the arrest of Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas.

Police said the victim was a reported runaway missing person. According to court documents, on July 6, Sablan noticed her walking down a street and allegedly threatened her with a gun to enter his vehicle, saying, “If you don’t get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you.” The scared victim followed his orders.

While driving, Sablan asked the victim her age, and she answered 13, courts allege. She told him she had a friend in Australia. Sablan proposed he could take her to a cruise ship to see her friend, if she first did a favor for him.

During the drive to California, Sablan repeatedly sexually assaulted the 13-year-old, officials said.

It was the morning of July 9 that the victim took matters into her hands to seek help and escape. Court documents report Sablan had parked his car at a Long Beach lot to wash their clothes at a laundromat. The victim stayed behind in the car while he did laundry.

Since Sablan was out of sight, the victim wrote “Help me!” on a piece of paper to tip someone off. She ended up getting the attention of a witness who phoned police about what they saw.

According to the witness, they saw Sablan standing outside the vehicle and the victim who mouthed the word, “Help.” When officers began searching Sablan’s vehicle, they found a black BB gun, a “Help me” sign and a pair of handcuffs.

After Sablan was captured in Long Beach, he was charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He has an arraignment in downtown Los Angeles on July 31.