A New Zealand man named as Lauren Flint, 30, has been arrested in California on suspicion of trying to kidnap a 14-year-old girl as she walked home from school in San Diego.
A telephone tipoff led detectives to Flint, who was arrested at his home in San Diego and charged with attempted kidnapping, battery and indecent exposure, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported yesterday.
The girl had told police that a white man in his 30s, with dirty blond hair, had pulled over in a utility truck and asked directions to Ocean Beach as she was walking home.
The man told her he was from New Zealand and he spoke with an accent, the girl told police.
The girl ran, but he blocked her with his truck and grabbed her backpack.
She punched him in the face, broke free and ran away.
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