Hours after a student reported being grabbed on her way to high school in Escondido, law enforcement officers announced an arrest in the attempted kidnapping.
Edgar Gutierrez, 28, was arrested Thursday in San Diego, Escondido police confirmed.
A 15-year-old student walking to a high school in Escondido Thursday fought off a man who grabbed her, Escondido Union High School District officials said.
The attempted kidnapping happened at approximately 7:35 a.m. on Linwood Street, approximately one mile west of Orange Glen High School.
As the student was walking, a man later identified as 28-year-old Edgar Gutierrez grabbed her and pulled her into a bear hug, officials said. At the time, the student was just a mile away from school.
The student was able to fight off the man, and the man fled the scene.
The student asked for help from nearby citizens, who followed the man and snapped a photo.
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Officers say the image led them to arrest Gutierrez hours later.
Escondido Police Department detectives continue investigating.
Detectives say the victim, in this case, did the right thing and made a scene. They recommend students walk in a group and be aware of their surroundings.
Orange Glen High School is located on Glenridge Road and Bear Valley Parkway.
The neighborhood is east of Interstate 15 and San Pasqual Valley Road and south of E. Grand Avenue.
