An 11-year-old Glendale girl narrowly escaped an abduction attempt while on her way to school, which was captured by a neighborhood security camera, authorities said. The Glendale Police Department reported that the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Joseph Ruiz, lunged at the fifth-grader near 43rd and Peoria avenues just before 8 a.m. on Friday, as detailed in a letter obtained by ABC15.
According to the Arizona's Family release, caught on the chilling footage, a silver sedan can be seen stalking the young girl before Ruiz attempted the grab. The quick-thinking student managed to flee to safety, finding refuge with a group of other students. Arrested later, Ruiz, who lived near the victim's apartment, was charged with kidnapping and custodial interference charges. Upon chasing her, the neighbors say three students huddled around her, effectively shielding her from the pursuing abductor.
"Glendale Police want to commend the bravery of this young victim. She did exactly what she needed to do to avoid this situation from becoming much worse," local officials stated. The girl, showing remarkable presence of mind, reported the incident to school officials, leading to the immediate involvement of the police who then utilized video footage to locate the suspect's vehicle and take him into custody.
A history of violence shadows Ruiz, the state's attorney highlighted in his court appearance, "I would note that he has a history of violence. He was convicted of an aggravated assault, a class 3 dangerous felony, after having stabbed his mother in the neck," according to the court proceeding video. Surveillance from nearby residents helped law enforcement track Ruiz down just hours after the attempted abduction, providing crucial evidence in the timely arrest for protecting the community's children.
Frightened parents and vigilant neighbors are now taking extra precautions. "It's very scary knowing that it happened right in front of my house, knowing that my kid, my son goes to that school," Nayeli Martinez shared with Arizona's Family, who's security camera initially captured the unsettling scene. In light of the traumatic event, Sunset Elementary School issued guidelines stressing the importance of safety and vigilance for both students and their parents.
These guidelines include advice for students to remain alert, avoid distractions like cell phones, travel in groups, and refrain from interacting with strangers. For parents, the school urges having clear and consistent procedures for child pick-up and drop-off and encourages establishing a code word with children. They emphasize teaching children to run away or scream when they feel unsafe and urge any incidents involving stranger approaches to be reported to Phoenix Police through Crime Stop at 602-262-6151, as well as informing the school to keep the staff and community informed.
