Thomas Gallegos, Sterling, Colorado man helps install appliances at a family home only to return two nights later wearing a clown mask and attempting to abduct the family’s 8 year old daughter.
He had designs on her … A Colorado man wearing a clown mask was arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap an 8 year old girl from her bedroom earlier this month.
Thomas Gallegos, 56, allegedly entered the victim’s family home in Sterling, 130 miles northeast of Denver, between 1 and 2 a.m. on Oct. 15. Investigators said Gallegos blindfolded the girl and grabbed her according to an arrest affidavit.
Gallegos lived in the neighborhood and was at the girl’s home over the weekend, two days prior to the attempted abduction to help install a washer and dryer, the girl’s mother told investigators.
Trail of evidence led police to be would be abductor
The attempted abduction was foiled after the eight year old girl managed to fight off her attacker but not before being hit on her head and rendered unconscious.
Gallegos allegedly fled the home with the girl’s cellphone, KKTV reported.
When the girl awoke, she ran to her mother’s room to tell her what happened. She was treated by doctors for cuts and bruises but didn’t sustain any major injuries, police said.
Police said the suspect likely came and went through the back door, which may have been unlocked, KUSA reported.
An arrest affidavit stated the suspect was wearing a cloth clown mask during the assault. The mask was left in the child’s room along with a pair of gloves.
During their investigation, detectives found a ‘significant amount’ of digital, forensic and physical evidence leading them to Gallegos, and the man’s eventual arrest, Sterling police said.
He was taken into custody on Oct. 19.
Gallegos is charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree assault, third-degree assault and child abuse.
No motive for the attempted abduction was immediately known.