A 21-year-old man faced charges after he allegedly began kissing a high school student while attempting to abduct her this week, Santa Ana police said Thursday.
The incident began Monday in the intersection of Center Street and McFadden Avenue when the suspect, Jesus Edu Bahena, pulled up to two female students who were walking home from Valley High School, according to a news release from the Santa Ana School Police Department.
He then demanded the victim get inside his vehicle.
After she refused, the suspect started yelling profanities at both girls and tried to convince the victim to get in, the news release stated.
They both walked away after refusing him, and the suspect drove away.
A short time after that, Bahena parked his vehicle near where the girls were walking and exited. He then confronted the victim and demanded the 16-year-old girl go with him, according to the release.
The victim again refused, prompting the suspect to allegedly grab her and try to force the girl inside the vehicle. A struggle ensued, at which point the suspect began kissing the victim’s face and lips, the release stated.
She was able to break free from the suspect by kicking him. Both girls were then able to get away.
On Thursday afternoon, Santa Ana police got a tip that the suspect in the case was parked near the high school. He was stopped and eventually arrested once the victim positively identified him, according to police.
Bahena was booked into Santa Ana Jail on charges of attempted kidnapping and sexual battery, the release said.
An investigation into the incident was ongoing and authorities have asked anyone with information about the case to contact the Santa Ana School Police Department at 714-558-5535.
