SAN DIEGO — San Diego Police have identified the man who attempted to kidnap a 6-year-old girl at Westfield Mission Valley Mall on Tuesday and also a 5-year-old girl on Thursday.
Lt. Dan Meyer identified the suspect as Arturo Rene Lujan at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
Lujan is said to have followed the 6-year-old child, who was pushing a younger sibling in a stroller, and her mother for a time through the Camino Del Rio North shopping center before grabbing the girl about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. He then walked off with her in the opposite direction. Moments later, the child cried out, and the man put her down and fled to the west.
No injuries were reported.
Meyer said the eastern investigations unit has worked tirelessly since the Tuesday incident to identify and apprehend Lujan. Meyer also said license plate reading technology played an important role in locating Lujan.
Meyer said he was arrested in Downtown San Diego Thursday afternoon just hours after a second kidnapping attempt was made on a 5-year-old girl when Lujan tried to place her into a vehicle.
This is an ongoing story, check back for more updates.