Man arrested for arranging meeting with missing 17-year-old girl at Long Beach motel

Long Beach police on Saturday announced the arrest of a man who arranged to meet with a missing 17-year-old girl at a motel for "lewd purposes."

The teen, who hasn't been identified, was reported missing by family back on March 11. They told police at the time that she was last seen a week prior to their report, according to the Long Beach Police Department. 

Detectives tracked her to a motel in the 4000 block of Long Beach Boulevard, where she was found on April 4 with a 29-year-old man identified as Joshua Stephen Brown. 

He was arrested on suspicion of arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes, police said. He was booked but released on his own recognizance the same day, jail records showed. 

"This case is a testament to the relentless work and dedication of our detectives and officers," said LBPD Chief Wally Hebeish in a statement. "Their efforts led to the safe recovery of a missing teenager and the arrest of a suspect. I commend them for their exceptional police work and unwavering commitment to public safety."

Anyone who knows more about the case was asked to contact LBPD investigators at (562) 570-7125.