ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla — A local school bus driver was arrested Monday after the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said he tried to begin a romantic relationship with a student.

Edward Betancur-Zabala, 36, was taken into custody following an investigation by SJSO’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit.  

The alleged victim, who was not identified by age, was asked by her bus driver to fill out a form asking for her phone number and other information, according to SJSO. Days later, she reported to a school resource deputy that she was receiving flirtatious messages from an unknown number claiming to be an “admirer.”

SJSO said that’s when ICAC detectives entered the equation, pretending to be the girl and continuing conversations with Betancur-Zabala. He was quoted several times by SJSO, saying he was interested in the victim and had seen her “notice his looks,” and wanted to meet her in person.

Over the course of the conversations with the suspect, he claimed they wouldn’t “talk much,” according to SJSO, and tried to make sure no one knew about it. He asked if there were cameras in her neighborhood, saying “it’s very dangerous…someone from school can see us” and added “I’ll greet you with a kiss.” 

Instead, body camera video shared by SJSO shows him being greeted by detectives and handcuffs.

Officials said he was arrested after sending a picture to detectives showing where he was parked in the neighborhood.

“The victim in this case is to be commended for immediately notifying her school resource deputy and not engaging in conversations with the suspect,” wrote SJSO. The agency encourages anyone with additional information or who believes they may be a victim of Betancur-Zabala to contact them directly or to leave a tip with Crime Stoppers.

First Coast News has requested Betancur-Zabala’s arrest report and is working to find out his employment status.