Amber Alert and Sharp-Eyed Citizen Help Save Missing Girl in California
Suspect arrested after 8-year-old escapes from captor in Fresno, Calif.
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5, 2010— -- Thanks to an Amber Alert and a quick-thinking citizen, an 8-year-old California girl was rescued today after a horrifying night.
The 8-year-old California girl was playing with friends outside her house in Fresno, Calif. early Monday evening, when police say Gregorio Gonzales tried to lure the girls into a pickup truck.
The children ran, but Gonzales allegedly grabbed the girl and sped away. Her mother chased after the truck, but it was too late.
"Please, whoever has her daughter to bring her back," said a translator on her behalf. "All she wants is her daughter back home."
A statewide Amber Alert was issued, and more than 100 officers immediately went on the hunt, searching for the truck, which was captured on surveillance video at a nearby intersection.
Then, early this morning, a man named Victor Perez spotted the truck. He jumped into his car and began following it. When he saw the girl's head in the window, he acted boldly.
"I was yelling at him and kept cutting him off," said Perez. "He was hiding her, pushing her down."
Investigators say Gonzales shoved the girl out of the truck and onto the street. As Gonzales fled, Perez called the police.
"I thank God that he put me here," said Perez. "I would not want anyone to do this to my family."
The young girl was taken to a local hospital, where she was reunited with her mother -- shaken and scared, but alive.
"I gotta tell ya, it was a highlight of my career to see [the girl] and her mom reunite in that hospital room," said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
A few hours later, police arrested Gonzales, a 24-year-old known gang member who was already on felony probation. Authorities say Gonzales had also exposed himself to two other young girls earlier that day.
Good Samaritan Helps Save Kidnapped Fresno Girl
Gonzales allegedly held the girl for 11 terrifying hours. He is being charged with kidnapping and sexual assault.
"She's frightened and traumatized," said Police Chief Dyer.
The girl is now recovering, and on their way home today, her family hung messages of thanks.
"Thank you, Fresno Police Department," a sign read.
ABC News has removed the name of the victim from this story because police say she was the victim of a sexual assault. ABC News does not identify sex crime victims