Colorado man in clown mask allegedly broke into home and tried to kidnap 8-year-old girl

STERLING, Colo. (TCN) — Police recently arrested a man who allegedly broke into a home and tried to kidnap a young girl in the middle of the night.

KCNC-TV reports officers said Gallegos was wearing a cloth clown mask at the time and blindfolded the child. The 8-year-old reportedly fought back, and Gallegos allegedly tried to hit and choke her. The suspect reportedly fled the scene with the victim’s phone but left behind the clown mask and a pair of gloves.

According to KCNC, the girl sustained cuts and bruises in the attack, but her injuries were not life-threatening. Authorities reportedly located the victim’s phone near an interstate.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Gallegos and arrested him on Oct. 19. He faces charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, attempted second-degree kidnapping, third-degree assault, and child abuse.