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Creepy guy in clown mask tries to kidnap girl from her room

By Lauren BarryOct 24, 2024

Lauren Barry

Lauren Barry is a Chicago-based news content producer for Audacy’s central news team. She is the host/co-producer of The On Deadline Podcast, as…

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After an 8-year-old girl fought off a man in a clown mask who tried to abduct her from her own room, a 56-year-old suspect has been arrested and faces several charges.

Thomas Gallegos of Sterling, Colo., has been charged with first degree burglary, second degree assault, attempted second degree kidnapping, third degree assault and child abuse.

Last Saturday, the Sterling Police Department said in a press release that officers responded to the attempted child abduction in the 300 block of Walnut Street in the town during the early morning hours of Oct. 15. According to an affidavit cited by 9News, the victim told authorities that the suspect entered her room, put a blindfold on her face, and grabbed her out of her bed.

She then started fighting back and the suspect responded by hitting her on the head and left her unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she ran to her mother’s room to tell her about the incident.

Back in the child’s room, they discovered that suspect had left the cloth clown mask she said he was wearing during the assault, as well as a pair of gloves. They also realized that he took the victim’s phone. Location data from that device was eventually used to narrow in on Gallegos.

“With the potential community threat of this serious crime, Sterling Patrol Officers and Detectives worked tirelessly around the clock seeking leads and gathering evidence,” said the police department. “A significant amount of digital, forensic and physical evidence led to the identification and arrest of a suspect.”

Per the affidavit, he lived in the same neighborhood and the victim’s mother said he had come over the previous weekend to help install a washer and dryer in the home. It seems that Gallegos entered the home through its back door, which may have been unlocked.

Once he was identified, an arrest warrant was issued for Gallegos and he was arrested Saturday morning. His next court date is scheduled for Nov. 4, according to 9News.

Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Russ Baca at 970-522-3512 ext. 4227, said the Sterling police. People can also submit tips anonymously to Logan County Crime Stoppers at 970-522-3937.

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