WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, April 8, 2023 — A 16-year-old boy was identified and detained by police Saturday in connection with a brazen attempted kidnapping Thursday at a West Valley City elementary school.
Granite School District officials say the boy is a student at a non-traditional program within the district and lives near Whittier Elementary School, where a third-grade girl was assaulted during an attempted kidnapping Thursday afternoon.
“We are extremely grateful for the investigative efforts of Granite and West Valley City Police detectives and members of the community who came forward with tips and information over the past 48-hours,” district spokesman Ben Horsley said in a news release. “We are thankful for the concern and support of the West Valley City community during this investigation.”
Granite police earlier Saturday released surveillance video that showed the teen leaving a nearby grocery store about 20 minutes prior to the attack.
Police say the teen is believed to have shoplifted items from Smith’s at 5620 W. 4100 South about 3:20 p.m. Thursday.
At 3:50 p.m., he grabbed and tried to abduct the third-grade girl at Whittier Elementary School at 3585 S. 6000 West, police said.
“Police received several tips since releasing photos and video surveillance of the suspect. A solid lead was developed from the recent Smith’s surveillance video that was released. Shortly after, the suspect was located and booked into juvenile detention,” Horsley said.
District officials say the girl fought back against her attacker and screamed for help. She was able to break free on her own about the same time as a school employee arrived to assist.
The third-grader was uninjured in the attack, police said.
“In this particular case, this victim did everything right,” Horsley said during a press conference Friday. “I saw the [surveillance] video this morning, and she fought for her life. She did everything absolutely right. She fled at that moment to her mother’s vehicle, and the suspect obviously went a different way. Considering what could have possibly happened, this is every parent’s worst nightmare.”
