LONG BEACH — A Hawthorne man who allegedly tried to abduct an 11-year-old girl in Wilmington was charged Friday with one felony count each of attempted kidnapping and forcible lewd act on a child.
Jose Julian Jaime Jr., 30, is accused of attacking the girl as she walked home from school Monday near M Street and Gulf Avenue, authorities said.
The suspect, subsequently identified by authorities as Jaime, approached the girl from behind, fondled her breasts and tried to move her from the area moments before several nearby residents intervened, which prompted the suspect to flee, according to Los Angeles police.
Jaime was last seen driving a gray Nissan Kicks with a spare wheel mounted on the passenger side before his arrest, authorities said.
In a statement announcing the charges, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said, “Our thoughts are with the young victim as she and her family navigate the trauma she has endured. No child should ever have to face such a terrifying encounter and we are committed to supporting her in every way possible through our office’s Bureau of Victim Services.”
The district attorney also lauded those who had intervened in the alleged attack.
Gascón said he wanted to “express our heartfelt gratitude to the witnesses who stepped up during this critical time.”
“Your willingness to act and provide aid to the victim and valuable information to police was vital in identifying the suspect, demonstrating the strength and unity of our community in protecting its most vulnerable members,” the district attorney said.
Jaime was behind bars on $1 million bail after he was arrested Wednesday at his home by Los Angeles Police Department Harbor Area detectives.
If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of 19 years in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
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