GLENDALE, AZ — Glendale police say a man is in custody after an attempted kidnapping of a girl last week.
The incident happened near 87th Avenue and Cardinals Way on Wednesday, March 6.
VIDEO: Glendale police new conference
Glendale police officials say a 14-year-old girl was walking home from school around 1:30 p.m. when she noticed a light-colored vehicle following her.
The girl saw a man get out of the passenger side and start to follow her on foot while someone else was driving the vehicle. The girl, sensing danger, ran to a nearby neighborhood and found an adult who was walking their dog. That adult walked with the girl to her home where her family called the police.
After police reviewed surveillance video and traffic cameras of the area, they were able to identify the vehicle, its registered owner and eventually the suspect.
Watch video of the incident in the player below
The following day, police arrested 28-year-old Timothy Tam Guan. He has been booked into jail and is facing charges of attempted kidnapping, aggravated assault, and unlawful imprisonment.
Police also questioned a woman who they believe was the driver. It's unclear if she was arrested or is facing any charges.
Detectives say Guan has a criminal history involving other juveniles, but said they could not elaborate on cases involving other police agencies.
According to court paperwork, Guan is currently on probation for three aggravated assaults on underaged persons, mostly girls, since 2021.
ABC15 has reported on two different incidents involving Guan. One was for causing damage to the Glendale airport and the second was for causing damage to about two dozen vehicles at a Goodyear hospital. Both incidents happened in 2019.
At the end of January, Glendale police arrested another man accused of attempting to kidnap an 11-year-old girl. That incident was also captured on video.
School leaders previously provided the following safety tips for students and parents:
For students:
- Stay alert and cautious. Stay off of cell phones and be aware of your surroundings.
- Travel to and from school in groups, do not travel alone.
- Do not talk to strangers.
- Do not approach strangers.
- Do not go anywhere with a stranger, no matter the reason he or she may give.
For parents:
- Know whom your child is with, and where he or she is at all times.
- Establish consistent and firm procedures for picking up your child at school, at a friend's home, etc. Don't let your child accept rides from anyone with whom you have not made previous arrangements - even if they say they are a police officer, neighbor, teacher or friend of the family.
- Keep your school office informed of changes in telephone numbers and emergency contacts.
- Make sure your child knows how to get in touch with you at all times.
- Teach your child a code word to use.
- Teach your child that it is okay to run away or to scream if anyone is making him or her feel uncomfortable or do something that is inappropriate.
