Man attempts to kidnap 2 boys from car in Castro
Castro
Photo: Google Maps
A man was arrested last night after trying to kidnap two young boys from the backseat of a car in the Castro.
The attempted kidnapping occurred around 7 p.m. at 17th and Sanchez streets. Police say the man, 44, reached through the window of the car to grab the two boys, aged 2 and 4, from the back seat.
A family member confronted the suspect and was able to call the police. Arriving officers found the suspect and arrested him. Officials said the boys were unharmed.
The suspect "is a person who has been known in the neighborhood for some time," said Tom Temprano, legislative aide to District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman.
He said Mandelman was aware that the suspect is a "challenge to the neighborhood," but that his office hadn't heard about any incidents that were "quite this serious" in the past.
"This is a disturbing situation and we want to make sure that people in the neighborhood are safe," Temprano said.
Sanchez Elementary School is located on the block where the kidnap attempt took place, but the school is currently closed due to the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order.
Temprano invited affected family or neighbors to reach out to the Supervisor's office by email at mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org.
SFPD did not immediately reply to further questions. We will update this story if we learn more.
