As an 11 year old she was walking to school Friday morning in Glendale AZ when a man in a white car made a U-turn, got out of his car, and attempted to grab her.
The unnamed fifth grader figured out what was happening and ran away while yelling “No!” He tried to grab her and as she pulled away he returned to his car and sped off.
When she got to school, she reported the incident to her teacher. With the information the victim provided, responding Glendale Police were able to obtain security footage of the incident and quickly located the suspect, who lives in the area near the victim’s home.
Officials at Sunset Elementary School praised the student for her bravery and local police say the young girl did everything right. “The most important thing she did right I would say is just fighting for her life,” says Glendale Police Officer Moroni Mendez. Glendale CBS News reports that 37-year-old Joseph Ruiz has been arrested and is facing charges including attempted kidnapping. This isn't Ruiz's first run in with law enforcement as has has prior charges, including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault charges.