PEORIA, AZ — A 20-year-old Peoria man was arrested Tuesday after police say he brought a missing 16-year-old girl from Montana to Arizona, kept her hidden at several Valley locations and repeatedly had sex with her while investigators searched for her.
Court records identify the suspect as Berk Robert Blenski. They say he also ignored a restraining order, misled detectives and continued concealing the teen even as missing-person posters circulated online.
Flight from Montana led to hidden stays across the Valley
Investigators say the case began in early July, when Blenski bought a plane ticket for the teenager to fly from Montana to Phoenix without her parents’ consent. The girl initially told her parents that a friend named “Kendra” paid for the trip.
Her parents later found sexually explicit messages sent to that contact and believed Blenski was using the alias. Records say the teen has several diagnosed mental health conditions.
Police say the teen vanished after returning to Arizona
After the girl returned to Arizona, police say she slipped away from a home on July 20 and was then reported missing. Her parents later saw her inside Blenski’s car as it left a Peoria residence.
When officers spoke with Blenski that day, he denied seeing her. He later told detectives she had been hiding inside the house during that visit, according to court documents.
Restraining order did not stop the alleged concealment
Police served Blenski with a restraining order on July 20 that barred contact with the minor. Despite that order, investigators say he moved her to Mesa and paid a friend $800 to help keep her hidden.
Records say he also provided groceries, clothing and a dedicated cellphone set up to communicate only through social media platforms. Prosecutors charged him with custodial interference, violation of an injunction against harassment and three counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
Detectives found the girl in Glendale before arresting Blenski
Police located the teenager in Glendale on Aug. 16 after contacting one of her friends. Detectives then served a search warrant on Aug. 18 and arrested Blenski while he was at work in Peoria.
After his arrest, police say he admitted to having sex with the minor multiple times, buying her flight and hotel stays, and lying to officers about where she was hiding.
A judge set bond at $100,000 on Wednesday. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 25.
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