Man Arrested in Attempted Kidnapping of Teen
San Diego police arrested a 26-year-old suspect after an eighth-grade boy was grabbed while walking to school in Allied Gardens.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Pre-Teens
San Diego police arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of attempted kidnapping and being under the influence of a controlled substance. The arrest followed an incident on East Twain Avenue in which a stranger grabbed an eighth-grade boy by the wrist and ordered him to follow.
Why it matters
The incident involved a child on his way to Lewis Middle School, drawing attention to student safety during the morning commute in San Diego. The student's successful escape and quick report to police led to the suspect's arrest.
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. Tuesday on East Twain Avenue, and the suspect is 26 years old. The source does not indicate whether formal charges have been filed beyond the arrest on suspicion.
The players
San Diego Police Department
The municipal police agency of California's second-largest city, which located and arrested the suspect.
San Diego Unified School District Police Department
The law enforcement agency serving the nation's second-largest school district, which assisted in locating the suspect.
The details
A stranger reportedly grabbed the boy by the wrist and tried to pull him away while ordering him to follow. The student defended himself, got away, and returned home, where he contacted police; officers later located the suspect in a parking garage off Fairmount Avenue with help from the San Diego Unified School District Police Department.
Timeline
Tuesday, around 8 a.m.: The student is grabbed by the wrist on East Twain Avenue while walking to school.
Last week: The suspect is arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnapping.
Family Safety Context
The case reflects the cooperation between city police and school district police in responding to threats against students traveling to school. Such coordination is a recurring part of how San Diego agencies handle reports of suspicious approaches to children on their way to class.
Parents of middle school students in San Diego may want to talk with their children about what to do if a stranger grabs or tries to lead them away. Encouraging kids to get to a safe place and report the incident to police, as this student did, is a practical step families can take.
The takeaway
Families can reinforce safety habits by reviewing with children how to respond to unwanted contact, including fighting back, escaping, and returning to a trusted place. Quick reporting to police, as occurred here, helped lead to the suspect's arrest.
Further reading
For more on keeping younger kids safe on their way to class, see Pre-Teens.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
