Accused kidnapper lured child away and tried to get him into van, Georgia cops say
A man accused of trying to lure a child into his van is behind bars on kidnapping and other charges, according to Georgia authorities.
David Esteban Ruiz, 62, was arrested April 9 after authorities said he coaxed a child away from other kids while they played outside at the Colonial Place Apartments in Norcross, Gwinnett County police said in a news release.
On April 8, Ruiz drove a silver Mercedes Sprinter van near the victim’s home as the kids played, police said. He “had the child follow him to a stairwell out of view of other kids and attempted to have the victim come with him to the silver Mercedes Sprinter van,” the release reads.
Authorities haven’t released further details about the incident.
Ruiz was booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on charges of kidnapping and child molestation and remains held without bond as of April 11. Additional charges are possible, police said.
Norcross is about 20 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.
This story was originally published April 11, 2022 at 2:25 PM with the headline "Accused kidnapper lured child away and tried to get him into van, Georgia cops say."