Surveillance video shows stranger in Arizona try to kidnap 11-year-old girl walking to school

One man is in custody and charged with attempting to kidnap a girl as she was walking to school on Friday, according to the Glendale Police Department.

Police said the attempted kidnapping happened near the intersection of 43rd Avenue and Onyx Road on Jan. 26, 2024.

A girl reported that a man she did not know tried to grab her as she was walking to Sunset Elementary School, which is at the intersection of 47th Avenue and Mountain View Road.

The 11-year-old student walked out of her second-story apartment and a man was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. As she was walking towards her school, a vehicle approached her, stopped in front of her and she saw the same man from her apartment driving.

She told police that he jumped out of his car and ran after her with his arms extended. When he failed to catch her, he could be seen walking back to his vehicle.

Officers were able to get surveillance video that identified the suspect's car. They were then able to contact the suspect , 37-year-old Joseph L. Ruiz, and arrested him that morning.

Police determined that he lived near the girl's apartment, but didn't know her personally.

He was charged with one count of attempted kidnapping and one count of custodial interference.

[JudyRichards-uo]

Thank God she was too fast for him and she reacted right away. How frightening.

[josephcarter]

That happened to some of my neighbors in Tucsons n yrs ago.. there were probably 30 chollas a couple doors down.. they chased the guy down. Wrecked his car& got the kid back safe.. when the cops got to the scene.. you could barely recognize the guy was a human.. that was good to see&also that even street thugs have more decency then a fn pedo was too..

[georgeskanderbeg]

He was arrested his name is Joseph Ruiz

[cococali]

His pants were falling down. That will work out well for his new friends in prison

[chemicalderon]

Thank You, Lord, for protecting this kid.

[BrandonF]

Why blur the plates? The government won’t take care of this guy but others would

[knightblood]

The way they run that is defentely a man over 40

[rockdaddy]

This is a good argument for capital punishment.

[Humble]

😢 yall this why my kids don't walk by themselves. I'm glad she noticed him real fast. Thank God he didn't get her 🙏🏾

[ericsilver]

Why is the license plate blurred out seems like everybody should know it to be on the lookout for it

[jupitercyclops]

Glad she was fast & somewhat aware of her surroundings

[SkyWatchAviation]

My cousin who is 13 and is also a girl almost got kidnapped in queen creek Arizona and after basketball went to get her water and her family was wondering where she was she had run to the van and locked the doors and started honking as much and as fast as she could

[brianmeachen]

😢 seriously, lifetime of tremor for this child . Leave kids to be kids.

[patriciaperry-higgins]

Lord Thank You for this baby paying attention to her surroundings. And Thank You for her quick thinking to run.

[ethanbeebe]

Dont ever let them take you quietly. Put up as much of a ruckus as you can, your life depends on it. Make sure people hear for miles and someone may help you.

[patriciamontagne]

Got the plate, description of the vehicle, and person. Good for you.😮

[lizhjelmeseth]

Run, good instincts, run from danger. Praise the Lord she's safe

[debbieleerepscher]

She must have been terrified !!!! And now she will be scared the rest of her life

[haystackhider]

Him today: "Miss Slowrunner, Cell 308"

[paulinegallo]

Thank god he is a She started screaming and he was afraid someone would come outside!