Man who allegedly tried to kidnap girl 'would do it again'
Share this @internewscast.com

Inset left: An individual named Christopher Leon inside a bus within the Phoenix metro locale (City of Tolleson). Inset right: Christopher Leon (Maricopa County Jail). Background: The crossroad where a young schoolgirl was reportedly approached by Leon in Tolleson, Arizona (Google Maps).

An Arizona man is behind bars for trying to kidnap an 11-year-old girl, according to police in the Grand Canyon State — and he apparently told police that he “would do it again.”

Christopher Leon, 34, stands accused of attempted kidnapping and aggravated assault, according to the Tolleson Police Department.

And such charges are apparently not a first for him, police say.

The defendant allegedly admitted to being convicted of sex crimes involving children in the past after being arrested over the weekend, police say. But he also allegedly said the incident will not be his last.

The underlying incident occurred on the afternoon of Sept. 29, near the intersection of 87th Avenue and Van Buren Street in Tolleson – a small city located some 13 miles due west of Phoenix, according to a press release issued by the city late last week. At the time, the girl in question was walking home from school, law enforcement say.

The child said an unknown man grabbed her by the forearms and tried to place cash in her hands, according to a police report obtained by independent Phoenix-based TV station KTVK and local CBS affiliate KPHO, which collectively broadcast as “Arizona”s Family.”

The girl, however, declined the offer. After the refusal, Leon allegedly asked her what time it was and said he would be back to get her the next day. After being threatened, the girl pulled away and ran back toward school for help, police say. Upon the child escaping, Leon allegedly reiterated the threat to return, according to the police report.

The man, meanwhile, ran in the opposite direction, according to witness and video accounts cited by law enforcement. Then, he allegedly boarded a Valley Metro bus – a choice which led police to post a wanted image culled from a transit security camera.

Leon was arrested on Saturday morning near the intersection of U.S. Interstate 10 and West Chandler Boulevard in north Phoenix.

During an interview, the man allegedly told investigators he saw the girl walking and thought she was “cute and beautiful,” according to court documents cited by the TV stations.

The man allegedly said he tried to give the girl $6 in order to make her “more attracted to him and more interested in talking to him,” according to the court document. Leon then said he had fantasies about the girl and admittedly would have tried to kiss her if she had not run away from him, police say.

“The defendant admitted to being sexually aroused by the juvenile victim and wanting to ‘Hang-out’ with her,” the document reads.

Explaining his departure from the scene, the defendant allegedly said he thought someone saw the interaction — adding that he knew what he did was wrong due to having been convicted of sex crimes before.

“The defendant stated the victim did not want his money and was able to break free from his grip,” the document goes on. “The defendant continuously said he felt as though the victim was scared of him and agreed that she would have felt as though she was being kidnapped based on his actions.”

Amid this allegedly voluble confession were claims from Leon himself that he was “attracted to younger girls” and “would do it again” if not punished by the law, according to the court document.

The defendant allegedly confessed to engaging in three similar incidents involving children in Tucson and Tolleson, police say.

Leon said he was convicted of “sexual abuse” after assaulting a “female subject” at a bus stop in Tucson in 2017, according to the court document. Leon also said he accidentally exposed himself to an adult woman on the bus when he was leaving Tolleson, police say.

The defendant is being detained in the Maricopa County Jail on $750,000 bond.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Police Report: Woman Stabbed Following Cigarette Request

Inset: Pamela Puskar (McCabe Funeral Home). Background: Glenn Whittier being escorted to…

Family Ties Under Scrutiny: Fiancé and Sister Charged in Case of Missing Pregnant Woman

Inset left to right: Richard Falor, Kimberly Park and Rebecca Park (Wexford…

Shocking Ohio Case: Man Posing as Teen Targets Vulnerable Kids in Online Exploitation

A Middletown man, aged 53, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after…

Probation Violation: Man Arrested with 125 Grams of Marijuana Sparks Legal Controversy

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours today, authorities apprehended…

Adelaide Stabbing Leaves Man in Critical Condition: Police Investigate

A 32-year-old man is in critical condition following an alleged stabbing incident…

Urgent Search for Missing Alabama Brothers, Ages 6 and 7: Police Request Public Assistance

The Autauga County Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to the community for…

Shocking Incident: Child Hospitalized After Alleged Abuse During Diaper Change—Police Investigate

Share A troubling incident in Kentucky has led to the arrest of…

Netanyahu Seeks Contentious Corruption Pardon, Declaring It ‘Impossible

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the country’s president to grant…

Authorities Report 15-Year-Old Suspect in Shooting of Bicyclist with Taurus 9mm

Inset: Tommy Lagree (Orange County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The 4900 block of…

Court Delivers Verdict for Man Convicted of Stabbing 11-Year-Old at Sleepover

Inset: Ricardo Perez Castillo appears in a booking photo (Kent County Sheriff”s…

Thanksgiving Tragedy: Man Sets Neighbor’s Home Ablaze, Police Report

Inset: Ora Wallace (Vernon County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The home on County…

Shocking Arrest in Gainesville: Man Threatens Dogs and Attempts Break-In

Staff Report Note: This article was updated on November 30 to correct…