An 11-year-old in Vancouver, Washington, escaped an alleged abduction on Dec. 15 after kicking the suspect and fleeing to a friend’s apartment. Police arrested 31-year-old Jerson Hartman the same day and charged him with second-degree attempted kidnapping and second-degree attempted robbery. The girl told investigators the masked man grabbed her elbow, took her phone and told her to "shut up"; officers observed red marks on her wrists. Hartman pleaded not guilty and is held on $50,000 bail; court dates are set for Jan. 20 and Feb. 9.
11-Year-Old Fights Off Alleged Kidnapper, Escapes After Kicking Him — Suspect Arrested
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An 11-year-old girl in Vancouver, Washington, escaped an alleged kidnapping attempt on Dec. 15 after fighting back and running to safety. According to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by local media, the girl was returning from a soccer game at about 5:30 p.m. when a man wearing a ski mask approached, grabbed her elbow and told her to "come here little girl."
The child told investigators she immediately felt uncomfortable and screamed for help. The affidavit says the man told her to "shut up," seized her cellphone and tightened his grip. Responding officers observed red marks on the girl's wrists that are consistent with an alleged grab.
Rather than remain a victim, the girl managed to free herself: after initially trying to pull away, she delivered a swift kick to the suspect's groin and ran to a nearby friend's apartment to summon help. Police say she identified the man she saw that evening.
The Vancouver Police Department arrested 31-year-old Jerson Hartman of Twin Falls, Idaho, later that same day and booked him on charges of second-degree attempted kidnapping and second-degree attempted robbery. Hartman pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and is being held on $50,000 bail. Court records show he is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 20 and faces a trial starting Feb. 9.
Case Details
Vancouver is located just north of Portland, Oregon. Authorities say the arrest followed the girl’s report and a police investigation that included her identification of the suspect. The Vancouver Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
Key facts: Incident occurred on Dec. 15 at about 5:30 p.m.; the victim was returning from soccer; the suspect allegedly wore a ski mask, grabbed her elbow, took her phone and told her to "shut up"; the girl kicked the suspect and fled.
