STOCKTON, Calif. — Stockton police on Wednesday praised the actions of school administrators, bystanders and a 9-year-old victim's own mother for thwarting a kidnapping attempt Tuesday morning in the 800 block of American Street.
"Officers arrived on scene and met with the 9-year-old student and her mother who were walking on their way to school when a suspect approached them and made a gesture of trying to grab the student," said Stockton Police Department Public Information Officer David Scott. "Some of those security measures and protocols really assisted us in our response and being able to relay information to surrounding patrol units."
The man accused of preying on the 9-year-old girl was identified by police as 44-year-old Kenneth Collins. Police said bystanders led officers to him after he ran several blocks away.
"The suspect was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping," Scott said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for KIPP University Park Elementary School said that the student attends the public charter school.
"Yesterday morning, one of our students and their parent were approached off campus on their way to school. Nearby adults and school staff acted quickly, and the student was not grabbed and no one was injured. The school principal immediately called law enforcement who responded on the scene, and we swiftly informed other families of the incident to encourage increased vigilance during school arrival and dismissal," the statement said. "The safety of our students is our number one priority, and we are grateful for a school community that looks out for one another."
The close call became the top discussion topic for parents during pickup time.
"It's just extremely wild," said parent Isabel Perez. "We just stay together and constantly communicate. It's really important to stay together."
Strength in numbers is just one of the tips police say could make a difference.
"Definitely if you're walking to school, make sure you're aware of your surroundings at all times," Scott said. "In this case, the mother and the daughter walking to school were very alert of their surroundings."
That attentiveness avoided a worst-case scenario but left other parents with an important reminder.
"We need to take all the precautions to take care of our kids," Perez said. "Because look at what's happening right in front of us, in our own communities."
Watch more from ABC10: 6-year-old Stockton boy returns to football field after surviving shooting
