11-year-old girl fights off kidnapper, helps police catch him with her ‘Law & Order’ knowledge
Image: screengrab from YouTube/Law & Order
An 11-year-old girl who fought off and escaped her kidnapper ended up helping police catch him, thanks to the hit crime series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (SVU).
The brave girl, who was only identified as Alyssa, was playing with homemade slime while waiting at a school bus stop in Florida in the United States when the crime occurred, as per NBC’s “Today” yesterday, May 20.
Security footage obtained by police showed a man jump out of a white car and charge at Alyssa at around 7 a.m. last Tuesday, May 18.
“The man got out of his vehicle holding a knife, came towards me and I tried to run, but he caught me,” Alyssa was quoted as saying.
As the criminal was dragging Alyssa to the car, she struggled and caused both of them to fall on the ground, according to the report. Alyssa then ran away while the kidnapper returned to his car.
Little did the criminal know, however, that the smart kid intentionally marked him with her homemade slime that was mixed with blue paint.
On why she knew to mark him, Alyssa credited “Law & Order: SVU,” the show she watches with her mom.
“I knew that that might be better evidence if the cops do find him,” she said in the interview. True enough, police shortly after found and arrested the man, whose arms were indeed covered in blue slime.
The man was later identified as 30-year-old Jared Paul Stanga, who has since been charged with attempted kidnapping of a child under 13 and aggravated assault and battery. He is being held on just over $1.5 million bond, according to the report.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, meanwhile, praised Alyssa for fighting “like a trooper,” but stressed that he was “not so sure if she actually comprehends what could have happened.”
“Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay – Olivia Benson herself – likewise gave the kid much-deserved praise, calling Alyssa “one BRAVE, Strong and Smart young woman.”
The actress also emphasized that she was “relieved and grateful to know that you are safe,” as seen on her Instagram post yesterday.
View this post on Instagram
“I think the SVU squad might have to add slime to their crimefighting gear! Take good care of yourself and each other. With all my love, your number one fan, Mariska,” the actress added. Ian Biong /ra
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