A 11-year-old girl put her self-defense skills to good use Monday when she successfully fought off a half-naked man who tried to kidnap her in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies said 54-year-old Martin Gonzalez grabbed the young girl by the wrist and tried to pull her in his car as she was walking alone along Kent Avenue in San Leandro.
He had his pants down around his ankles during the struggle, a local CBS affiliate reported.
Police did not specify how the girl was able to break free or what self-defense moves she used against the attacker, but she was able to get away and run to Ashland Youth Center for help. The girl had been taking self-defense classes there for a couple of months.
“I was really proud of this girl in particular because she’s very small in stature and because she’s the younger side of the females that I do teach,” Deputy Priscilla Silva told CBS. “She was always 110% in class.”
Deputies found and arrested Mr. Gonzalez shortly after the attack. He faces charges of attempted kidnapping, sexual battery and indecent exposure, the station reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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