x
Breaking News
More () »

Man Arrested After Alleged Kidnapping Attempt in Wilkes-Barre

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Police arrested a man in Wilkes-Barre for allegedly attempting to kidnap a teenage girl in broad daylight. The 13-year-old girl told o...

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. -- Police arrested a man in Wilkes-Barre for allegedly attempting to kidnap a teenage girl in broad daylight.

The 13-year-old girl told officers she was walking along Charles Street in the city around 3:30 p.m. Monday when a man grabbed her from behind and tried to pull her away.

Police say the girl did not know the man who allegedly tried to abduct her. They say when he tried to grab her, she defended herself and then ran away.

When school lets out, you'll find many high school students walking home through this neighborhood on Charles Street in Wilkes-Barre.

Wilkes-Barre police say the 13-year-old girl was walking home Monday afternoon when a man in a black SUV started following her.

Police say that man was Einstein Lima, 39, with addresses in Wilkes-Barre and Brooklyn, New York.

"It's crazy how that happens just right down the street and witnessed all of it," said Meyers student Kaleb Gartin, who lives on Charles Street.

"When I was walking down there, I seen a lot more cops than there ever has been on this street, I guess you could say."

We talked to the girl, but her parents did not want her to go on camera. She told us when the man grabbed her, she elbowed him, stomped on his foot, and then ran away. She went to her house and had her parents call 911.

Gartin says the outcome of this whole ordeal could have been a lot worse if the girl did not act quickly.

"Don't let them capture you because then they could do whatever they want, so fight as much as you can."

The girl is doing OK.

Police found Einstein Lima not too far from where he allegedly tried to grab the girl.

They've charged Lima with false imprisonment, assault, and for having a small amount of marijuana in his SUV.

Before You Leave, Check This Out