CLARKDALE, AZ — Officials in Clarkdale, Arizona, have arrested a man accused of filming and trying to grab a young girl in a bathroom at an elementary school early Monday afternoon.
Clarkdale Police Department officials say the incident occurred at Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary School when a group of girls entered a bathroom during recess.
"Witnesses reported that the man was filming in the girls’ bathroom located outside near the soccer field," police say. "When students entered the restroom, he grabbed one student by the arm." The student was able to get away and notify school staff.
Police say the suspect ran from the scene after the incident.
He was later identified as 22-year-old Micah Andrew Hines of Cottonwood. Police arrested him and say he confessed to the crimes.
He reportedly confessed to jumping the fence to access the school campus, hiding in the girls' bathroom at the back playground, recording students who entered, and grabbing a child by the arm.
Hines has been booked into the Yavapai County Detention Center on two counts of kidnapping, two counts of voyeurism, two counts of surreptitious recording, two counts of aggravated assault of a minor, one count of trespassing, and one count of interfering with an education institution.
Police credit the community for sharing and responding to social media posts, helping officers identify the suspect captured on surveillance cameras. Police also credit the witnesses and victims who were able to recall significant details of the suspect’s clothing and appearance.
A family and community meeting is scheduled to take place Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the school’s gym. Officials are expected to address the incident, next steps and answer questions.
“The magnitude of a case like this can be very damaging to the public’s sense of safety,” said Clarkdale Police Chief Randy Taylor. “Any case involving children will always remain a top priority.”
