A Glendale teen's quick thinking may have helped her avoid a dangerous situation with a man accused of trying to lure her. The 14-year-old girl was walking home from school last Wednesday when 37-year-old Isaiah Navarro approached her and tried to engage her in conversation. Suspecting his intentions, she provided her mother's phone number instead of her own when he asked for it that afternoon, reported FOX 10 Phoenix.
The mother was quick to call the Glendale Police Department upon receiving a call from Navarro. Posing as the young girl, detectives engaged Navarro in conversation where the texts became increasingly sexually explicit. " Unbeknownst to Navarro, our detectives got involved and continued the conversation," the police department said, as they observed Navarro asking repeatedly to hang out with who he believed was the teen, FOX 10 Phoenix reports. Glendale Police shared that he called up to 30 times, demonstrating a persistence that, emphasizes a worrying degree of premeditation.
The trap was set as detectives, maintaining their cover, arranged a meeting spot with Navarro. He was met by law enforcement upon his arrival at the selected location and was promptly arrested instead of encountering his intended victim. Navarro now faces charges including luring a minor for sexual exploitation and attempting to commit sexual conduct with a minor. His bond is set at $250,000, as detailed by AZ Family.
The Glendale Police Department has recognized the girl's quick thinking which helped prevent the situation from escalating. They encourage anyone who may have also been victimized by Navarro to come forward, to call the Glendale PD at (623) 930-3000.
