PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

April 25, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Arrest Man for Attempted Kidnapping, 12-Year-Old Girl Safe

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department arrested a 53-year-old man who attempted to kidnap a 12-year-old girl as she walked to school.

This investigation started at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, when SLC911 took a report of an attempted abduction near Herbert Avenue and Roberta Street.

Detectives assigned to the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Special Victims Unit (SVU) and School Resource Officers (SRO) responded and began an extensive investigation.

Officers learned that just after 9:30 a.m., the driver of a dark-colored, GMC truck approached a 12-year-old student as she walked to Liberty Elementary School.

The driver, later identified as Jose Arquimides Manzanarez Munoz, offered the girl money and asked if she needed a ride.

The girl said no and started to walk away. As she did, Arquimides Manzanarez Munoz is accused of driving his truck in the direction of the girl – to prevent the girl from leaving the area.

The girl ran away and reported the incident to a trusted person at her school. The driver took off in an unknown direction.

Officers got a description of the truck and driver and sent it out to law enforcement throughout the city.

Officers later spotted the truck near 550 West 200 South and safely arrested Arquimides Manzanarez Munoz.

Officers will book Arquimides Manzanarez Munoz into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on one count of attempted child kidnapping.

The Salt Lake City Police Department encourages parents and guardians to discuss safety planning with children and teens, which includes:

·       Never talk to strangers – If a stranger approaches a child or teen, teach them to say “No!” and to run to a safe place to report the incident.

·       Use the buddy system – Encourage children and teens to be with a friend or family member when outside.

·       Be aware of your surroundings – Tell children and teens to be aware of their surroundings. Encourage them not to become distracted by personal devices and headphones/earbuds that may prevent them from seeing or hearing someone approach them.

·       Trust your instincts – Remind children and teens that it is okay for them to trust their instincts. If they ever find themselves in an uncomfortable situation, they should report it to a trusted adult immediately.

Photos taken of the scenes are being released. Media may use these photos with proper credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

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