Man Sentenced Nearly 8 Years For Attempted Child Kidnapping In Escondido

VISTA, CA — A man who tried to abduct a child near Pioneer Elementary School in Escondido was sentenced Thursday to seven years and eight months in state prison.

Jose Ruiz Cruz, 28, was arrested in February of last year after Escondido police said he drove up to a child walking to school and tried to pull the student inside a vehicle.

The child was able to flee and reported what happened, police said. Police arrested Ruiz Cruz the following day after spotting the suspect's vehicle on Auto Parkway near Andreasen Drive.

Ruiz Cruz pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of attempted kidnapping and sending harmful matter to a minor.

— City News Service