Attempted kidnapping suspect arrested after girl reported him on her walk to school, Glendale PD says
GLENDALE, Ariz. - A girl walking to school in Glendale on Friday was able to escape her would-be kidnapper who is now behind bars, the police department said.
Glendale Police officers responded to the area of 43rd and Peoria Avenues on the morning of Jan. 26. An 11-year-old girl said she walked down her apartment staircase and ran into the suspect. She walked around him, but investigators say she encountered him again, and this time he was inside a car. He then jumped out in front of her, running after her with his arms extended, police said.
The girl was able to get away and told adults what happened.
Investigators obtained and reviewed video footage of the incident. They were able to trace the car to the suspect. Joseph Ruiz, 37, was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnapping charges.
Ruiz lived just 130 feet away from the victim in the same apartment complex, according to court documents. Ruiz has a criminal history, including prior charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault.
Ruiz faced a judge for the first time Monday as prosecutors shared concerns about his criminal past.
"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, which caused some very serious injuries, so the state is concerned that he is at risk for violence," a prosecutor said.
Documents show Ruiz still lives with his mother in that apartment.
His mother reportedly told police that he wasn’t acting normal that day and admitted to her that years ago he kissed his underage cousin.
He’s now booked on counts of attempted kidnapping and custodial interference. He's held on a $25,000 cash-only bond.
37-year-old Joseph Ruiz
"As a father myself, as a parent, it’s very frightening. It’s very frightening on her normal walk to school she was targeted," Glendale Police spokesperson Moroni Mendez said. "Someone tried to take her away from her loving family. So, we just want to say to parents of the Valley… watch out for your children. Teach them about this incident. Use it as an example of how they should talk. How they should be open, and tell those trusted adults about these things that happen."
Parents in the neighborhood are understandably worried about their own kids' safety.
"It's the most terrifying thing as a grandfather, as a father, you can ever go through. Just watching the video, I said, ‘No, we got to do something about it.’"
"I lived here for over 12 years and I don't put up with that. We will not put up with that in our community."
Pam Horton, Director of Communications and Public Engagement for the Washington Elementary School District, released the notifications that were sent to families following the incident.
"After dismissal today, we received an update from the Glendale Police Department regarding the stranger danger incident we informed you about earlier. The police reported that they have a person of interest in custody. While this is good news, Glendale Police still plan to have an increased presence in the community next week. We are very thankful for their quick response and assistance. Have a great weekend," one of the notifications read.
The second notification was a document that gave tips on how to stay safe from incidents like this.
Map of where the incident happened: