A 37-year-old man in Arizona, Joseph Ruiz, has been charged with attempted kidnapping and custodial interference after trying to snatch an 11-year-old girl on her way to school. Disturbing footage shows Ruiz attempting to grab the girl, who managed to outrun him. Ruiz has a history of violence, including stabbing his mother in the past, and reportedly exhibited strange behavior on the day of the incident. The Washington Elementary School District has alerted parents and the Glendale Police Department plans to increase its presence in the community.
The Glendale Police Department has made its first arrest in connection with a flash mob robbery at the Yves Saint Laurent store in the Americana at Brand mall. Ivan Isaac Ramirez, 23, was arrested and booked on charges including organized retail theft and burglary. Another suspect, Brianna Jimenez, is still being sought. The LAPD has formed an Organized Retail Crime Task Force to address the recent surge in flash mob-style burglaries, aiming to eliminate violent robberies and reduce organized retail theft. The investigation into the Glendale robbery remains ongoing.
Alicia Navarro, a high-functioning autistic teen who went missing from her home in Glendale, Arizona in 2019, has been found safe in Montana, near the U.S.-Canadian border. The Glendale Police Department, along with the FBI, is investigating further. Alicia, who is now 18 years old, showed up at a local police station in Montana and expressed gratitude to the police for their help. Her family is relieved and hopeful for closure, while Alicia is asking for privacy at this time.
