Colorado man who tried to kidnap girl turned in BY PARENTS after they saw police surveillance footage
THORNTON, COLARADO: A 28-year-old man, Diego James Gettler, was charged with second-degree kidnapping after he allegedly grabbed a girl outside the STEM Launch K-8 school in Thornton just before the first bell, around 7.30 am on September 23, according to the Thornton Police Department.
Gettler's parents reported him vehicle to the police after recognizing him from the surveillance photos.
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According to the police, the girl had been dropped off by her mother at school that morning and was sitting on the school steps when a man approached her and asked if she went there, People reported. He reportedly walked behind her up the stairs, turned around and walked back towards her.
“The male made her feel uncomfortable, so she stood up as he was walking back down the stairs. The male grabbed [her] at this point, in a manner she described as him wrapping his hands and arms around her waist," the affidavit says.
This was when the girl started screaming and Gettler "covered her mouth with his hands to prevent her from screaming," the affidavit read. "[The girl] told detectives she began grabbing at the male and was able to pull down a mask he was wearing, at which point the male appeared spooked and ran away on foot," the affidavit goes on to say.
The police discovered surveillance video that showed the suspect parking a damaged gray Saturn Aura, walking towards the school and attempting to abduct the girl. When the girl made noise, he ran to his car, climbed into the passenger side of his vehicle and drove away.
*UPDATE* Thornton PD continues to investigate the Att. Child Abduction at STEM Launch. Additional pics of the suspect & the vehicle he left in, an ‘06-‘09 Saturn Aura, gray, with damage to drivers side fender & door that likely prevent the door from opening. 1 of 2 pic.twitter.com/fxuPXCAIr8
— Thornton Police Dept (@ThorntonPolice) September 24, 2022
On the same day, police released surveillance footage of the suspect, who was wearing a black sweatshirt with "three blue and orange Adidas symbols on the back," as well as black pants and black shoes. Additionally, police released images of the damaged driver's side of the vehicle. The affidavit stated that Gettler's parents went to the Thornton police station on September 26 and told detectives their son had been the suspect. According to the affidavit, his vehicle matched the characteristics of the suspect vehicle in the case, as well as photos from surveillance released.
As part of the investigation, detectives discovered Gettler's cellphone was also in the area when he tried to kidnap the girl. He was arrested on September 26 outside a Home Depot in Parker and booked into the Adams County Jail. His court appearance is scheduled for October 5, according to People.
The defendant has not entered a plea. There was no response from his attorney.