Yuma police investigating attempted child abduction

Yuma police are investigating an attempted abduction of a 12-year-old boy Thursday morning while he was walking to school.

Sgt. Leanne Worthen said police were notified of the attempt at 7:45 a.m. and responded to the 2000 block of South Avenue A. The boy, she said, told officers that he was walking to school when a man came up behind him calling out to him, then grabbed him.

Worthen said the boy struggled with the man and was able to break free and run to the Circle K at 2089 S. Avenue A. The victim's family was notified and a short time later they called police.

Worthen added that the child received minor injuries during the incident.

The Yuma Police Department is urging the public to be vigilant and report suspicious persons matching the suspect's description.

The only description available of the suspect is he is a teen to young adult male, 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 210 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes and a tattoo or scar on his face. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeved black shirt, black shorts, and red and white shoes.

Officers and investigators remained on the scene for several hours interviewing residents and searching for evidence.

The initial information led to convicted sex offender Jason Riddle. Officers located Riddle, who is 19, in the 200 block of West 5th Street at about 1 p.m. and took him into custody for questioning.

Worthen said Riddle was interviewed in reference to this investigation, but he was cleared of involvement. He did, however, have an outstanding felony warrant for failing to register as a sex offender and was booked into the Yuma County Detention Center.

YPD asks anyone with any information about this case to call 373-4700 or Sgt. Ron Rodriguez at 210-4451, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.