STERLING, CO - Authorities with the Sterling Police Department (SPD) said that an eight-year-old girl fought off an attacker who tried to kidnap her from her bedroom in the middle of the night.
According to reports, around 2:30 a.m. on October 15th, police responded to a home for a call of an attempted child abduction. Police said that a man entered a home and "attacked" the young girl in her bedroom. The girl fought back and escaped the home invader, who fled the scene before officers arrived. An arrest affidavit states that the girl told investigators that the man, who was wearing a clown mask, put a blindfold on her and tried to grab her from her bed.
The girl said that she fought back and that the suspect struck her on the head, causing her to lose consciousness. When she came to, the man was gone. She told her mother what had happened and her mom called 911. Thankfully, the girl did not suffer any major injuries and only sustained a few bruises. Responding police found the clown mask and gloves in the girl's bedroom.
The girl's cellphone had been taken and was later found dumped near Interstate 76. SPD said that detectives and patrol officers "worked tirelessly around the clock" to identify and locate a suspect in the crime due to the "potential community threat." A few days later, on Saturday, October 19th, 56-year-old Thomas Gallegos was arrested on charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, attempted second-degree kidnapping, third-degree assault, and child abuse.
SPD said that a "significant amount" of "digital, forensic, and physical" evidence led to the identification of Gallegos as the suspect. According to reports, police noted that the suspect might have entered the home from the back door, which may have been left unlocked at the time, between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Gallegos lived in the same neighborhood as the young girl and helped install a washer and dryer in the home the week before he tried to kidnap the eight-year-old. Hix next court date is set for November 4th.
In a separate incident, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said that it is searching for a man who was caught on camera allegedly trying to kidnap a girl walking home from school before a neighbor intervened. According to Fox News, the incident happened around 3:15 p.m. on October 21st in the Wilmington area near M Street and Gulf Avenue.
The man, described as a White or Hispanic man possibly in his 20s or 30s, can be seen on video approaching an 11-year-old girl from behind before fondling her inappropriately. A good Samarian who lives in the area noticed what was happening and can be heard on the video saying, "Hey, leave her alone." The resident, Ivonne, aid that the suspect tried to tell her the girl was his niece before taking off. She, however, did not believe him and her and her brother followed the suspect before he got away in a gray Nissan Kicks.
Police said that the man is a sexual battery and attempted kidnapping suspect. Anyone with any information about the suspect is asked to call Harbor Area detectives at 310-726-7900.
According to reports, around 2:30 a.m. on October 15th, police responded to a home for a call of an attempted child abduction. Police said that a man entered a home and "attacked" the young girl in her bedroom. The girl fought back and escaped the home invader, who fled the scene before officers arrived. An arrest affidavit states that the girl told investigators that the man, who was wearing a clown mask, put a blindfold on her and tried to grab her from her bed.
The girl said that she fought back and that the suspect struck her on the head, causing her to lose consciousness. When she came to, the man was gone. She told her mother what had happened and her mom called 911. Thankfully, the girl did not suffer any major injuries and only sustained a few bruises. Responding police found the clown mask and gloves in the girl's bedroom.
The girl's cellphone had been taken and was later found dumped near Interstate 76. SPD said that detectives and patrol officers "worked tirelessly around the clock" to identify and locate a suspect in the crime due to the "potential community threat." A few days later, on Saturday, October 19th, 56-year-old Thomas Gallegos was arrested on charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, attempted second-degree kidnapping, third-degree assault, and child abuse.
SPD said that a "significant amount" of "digital, forensic, and physical" evidence led to the identification of Gallegos as the suspect. According to reports, police noted that the suspect might have entered the home from the back door, which may have been left unlocked at the time, between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Gallegos lived in the same neighborhood as the young girl and helped install a washer and dryer in the home the week before he tried to kidnap the eight-year-old. Hix next court date is set for November 4th.
In a separate incident, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said that it is searching for a man who was caught on camera allegedly trying to kidnap a girl walking home from school before a neighbor intervened. According to Fox News, the incident happened around 3:15 p.m. on October 21st in the Wilmington area near M Street and Gulf Avenue.
The man, described as a White or Hispanic man possibly in his 20s or 30s, can be seen on video approaching an 11-year-old girl from behind before fondling her inappropriately. A good Samarian who lives in the area noticed what was happening and can be heard on the video saying, "Hey, leave her alone." The resident, Ivonne, aid that the suspect tried to tell her the girl was his niece before taking off. She, however, did not believe him and her and her brother followed the suspect before he got away in a gray Nissan Kicks.
Police said that the man is a sexual battery and attempted kidnapping suspect. Anyone with any information about the suspect is asked to call Harbor Area detectives at 310-726-7900.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2024-10-25T16:05-0500 | Comment by: Paul
Nylon or sisal?
2024-10-26T02:12-0500 | Comment by: Karen
This is terrifying. Nobody is safe anymore, young or old. And Kamala wants to lessen punishment for offenders. She would be the final destruction of our country and we would never recover. She's a communist and has no loyalty to the USA. What a nightmare! Thank you God for protecting these children.
2024-10-26T02:12-0500 | Comment by: Karen
This is terrifying. Nobody is safe anymore, young or old. And Kamala wants to lessen punishment for offenders. She would be the final destruction of our country and we would never recover. She's a communist and has no loyalty to the USA. What a nightmare! Thank you God for protecting these children.
2024-10-26T02:13-0500 | Comment by: Karen
This is terrifying. Nobody is safe anymore, young or old. And Kamala wants to lessen punishment for offenders. She would be the final destruction of our country and we would never recover. She's a communist and has no loyalty to the USA. What a nightmare! Thank you God for protecting these children.
2024-10-26T02:13-0500 | Comment by: Karen
This is terrifying. Nobody is safe anymore, young or old. And Kamala wants to lessen punishment for offenders. She would be the final destruction of our country and we would never recover. She's a communist and has no loyalty to the USA. What a nightmare! Thank you God for protecting these children.
2024-10-26T12:54-0500 | Comment by: Mark
Paul: Or cable, don't matter just get it done.