Southern California

Family Saves 3-Year-Old After Man Snatches Girl Through Window

Officials say the incident appears to be "totally random"

Deputies arrested a man whom they say reached through the bedroom window of a Southern California home and grabbed a 3-year-old girl Thursday night, officials said.

The attempted kidnapping happened just before 7 p.m. in the 24000 block of Arch Street in Newhall, LA Sheriff's Deputy Josh Dubin said.

A stranger broke through the screen and reached into the bedroom window, snatched the girl and ran down the street while holding onto her, Dubin said.

The family then ran outside and chased after the man. The girl's uncle, whose name is Jesus, said he ran down the street after the alleged kidnapper.

"He turned around quickly and asked me, 'Is this your daughter?' and I said yes, and that's when he gave her to me," said the girl's uncle, who told the man he was her father to get her back. "That's when I walked over here and I put her in the house."

The girl's uncle said her father came from the house and pinned the man down, but Rubin said deputies chased the man and captured him. Additional details were not immediately clear.

The 3-year-old girl was "startled" but unharmed.

Dubin said the incident appears to be "totally random," and the man has no apparent relation to the girl or her family.

Deputies did not release the man's name or age, but only said he was an adult.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed what happened should call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Robert Kovacik contributed to this report.

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