AURORA, Colo. — Police arrested a suspect Friday who is accused of trying to kidnap a child on Thursday. A man in his 30s was taken into custody at about 3:50 p.m. Friday. Police said the suspect is a stranger to the girl who was targeted.
Investigators said he will be charged with the following crimes:
- 18-3-404 Second Degree Unlawful Sexual Contact-Criminal Attempt, Class 5 Felony
- 18-3-302 Second Degree Kidnapping-Criminal Attempt, Class 5 Felony
The police department issued an alert about someone who tried to abduct a child Thursday evening around 5:15 p.m.
It happened near East Exposition Avenue and South Nome Street just west of Interstate 225, the Aurora Police Department said. A girl was walking from her school bus stop when a man started walking toward her.
“As she passed he grabbed her and put his hands over her mouth. The young female fought back by screaming and biting the suspect’s right ring finger causing the suspect to let go,” APD said in a statement Friday morning.
After the girl bit the finger, the man ran westbound on Exposition.
The suspect was described as a skinny white man who is about 39 years old and roughly 6 feet 4 inches tall. The suspect was wearing a large black coat with a hood or hoodie underneath. He was also wearing bluejeans and black-and-white shoes. He is believed to have been carrying a black backpack.
At the time of the attack, the man was wearing dark sunglasses and had a small amount of facial hair on the bottom of his chin.
Police believe an older-model, black four-door sedan driven by a white or Hispanic man was driving eastbound on Exposition at the time and think the driver may have witnessed the incident. APD is urging that person to contact them.
Investigators said the victim is safe. Police applauded her for fighting back during the attack.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 303-627-3100. Anonymous tips can be made to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
Aurora police also said anyone who may have had a similar encounter recently but has not come forward to contact the department.