The attempted abduction of a 15-year-old girl in Canyon Country Monday morning has led to the arrest of a 38-year-old man on suspicion of kidnapping.
Local sheriff’s deputies began following up on reports that a man tried to “snatch” a teenage girl in Canyon Country Monday morning.
The incident happened shortly after 10 a.m. on the 18300 block of Soledad Canyon Road, near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Soledad Canyon Road, Sgt. Michael Konecny of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station told The Signal Monday morning.
“A female, 15, was standing in a parking lot when she was approached by a Hispanic male,” Konecny said.
“He tried to strike up a conversation with her, asking her for her name and phone number. Then he asked “Can I kiss you?’ She said ‘ I don’t know you, get away from me.’
“He then grabbed her in a bear hug and dragged her northbound to a parking lot,” Konecny said.
“She began screaming for help. She was heard by some bystanders who responded and later directed deputies to where they saw him run,” he said.
Deputies found the suspect in an alley way behind the Boot Barn store, Konecny said.
During the attack, the victim tried to avoid the suspect, but he kept approaching and trying to kiss her, sheriff’s spokeswoman Shirley Miller said.
“Suddenly, the suspect grabbed the victim by wrapping both arms around her upper torso.
“When the victim began yelling for help, bystanders came to her aid, prompting her release,” Miller said.
“The victim was moved a short distance against her will. “
The suspect, identified by Miller as Santos Martinez, who was reported to be intoxicated at the time, and was arrested without incident on suspicion of kidnapping.
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