Alert Neighbor Prevents a Kidnapping

[rockdawg21]

Now this is a true hero!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44161568/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/?GT1=43001#.TkrANIKt0ZI
Cops: Neighbor chases kidnapper, saves child
6-year-old girl was pushed into a van from playground near her home, police say

msnbc.com staff and news service reports
updated 2 hours 26 minutes ago

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Police say a suspected kidnapper was thwarted by an alert neighbor who chased after a van after witnessing a 6-year-old girl being pushed into it.

Albuquerque police officer Robert Gibbs told KRQE that suspect Phil Garcia tried to coax the girl into a green van late Monday afternoon from a playground near her home.

“The child was being resistant to his enticement and that is what caused him to get out of the car and actually push her into the van,” Gibbs told KRQE.

Gibbs says the neighbor, who was not identified, got into his own car and began following the van while also calling 911.

According to Gibbs, Garcia noticed he was being followed and tried to lose the car but instead crashed about a mile and a half from where the girl was taken.

After Garcia ran away, the neighbor was able to safely pull the girl from the van. Gibbs says police arrived moments later and arrested Garcia.

Officers told KRQE that the neighbor is a hero who prevented a possible tragedy.

“He probably saved her life," Gibbs said. "[The suspect] could have sexually assaulted her, could have hurt her or actually killed her."

KRQE reported that the van involved is owned by Garcia's sister. He reportedly took out the back seats after borrowing the van.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Llamafighter]

Wow it's great to hear when someone does something like this to prevent a crime against a child. glad she wasn't hurt in the crash.

[Twinsmama]

my kids are at work with me and i just told them that story. they said wow that was a really nice neighbor. yes i agree.

[flo]

I think this is why we need to be good neighbors to those around us.

The perp took out the back seats of the van? I'd say the neighbor stopped the 6 yr. old from being raped, and probably killed. I hope they can throw the book at this sick pervert and put him away for a long, long time.

[Bonnie]

It's so great to hear about a child being saved from a predator...too often these type cases end badly. It seems like every day you hear on the news about another child gone missing. :sad:

[County Mike]

Thank God the girl was saved. Too bad Mr. Garcia wasn't killed at the scene.

[Neezar]

This is awesome. So many people are unwilling to get involved these days. This guy is a hero.