SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A man suspected of trying to abduct a teenage girl on her way home from school in Otay Mesa earlier this week was arrested, police announced.
San Diego police said 50-year-old Jose Plascencia was arrested Thursday on one count of felony attempted kidnapping and “an unrelated misdemeanor warrant.”
Plascencia is being held on $220,000 bail.
On May 29, at around 5 p.m., police said a 13-year-old girl was walking home in the 700 block of Picador Boulevard near Montgomery Middle School in Otay Mesa West when she noticed she was being followed by a small, dark-colored or black SUV.
RELATED: Police: Man with 'raspy voice' tries to kidnap 13-year-old girl on her way home from school
The SUV pulled up next to the girl, and after the passenger side door was opened, a man inside asked the teen if she wanted a ride home.
According to police, the man then grabbed the victim by the wrist and tried to pull her into the vehicle before she was able to escape and run home to report the incident.
A witness driving by saw the 13-year-old talking with the man and made a U-turn before seeing the victim run away.
Police said Plasencia was identified as the suspect thanks to several community leads, as well as “savvy police investigative work” and investigators’ “experience within the community.”
RELATED: School increases security after attempted kidnapping in Otay Mesa
Plasencia was located Thursday in the 600 block of Dennery Road and arrested without incident, police said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Educators had tips for children who walk to school:
- Always walk with a buddy.
- If someone is following you, yell loudly and run to the nearest public place where there are other people.
- Never take a ride with a stranger.
- Never approach a car if you do not know the driver.
- Do not walk distracted with cell phones and ear buds
- Pay close attention to your surrounding area
