Santa Ana, Calif. police Saturday arrested a 425-pound sicko of a gang member who they say tried to grab and smell a 10-year-old boy who was on his way to soccer practice.
The man, 55-year-old Victor Joseph Espinoza approached the boy as he was walking to the park with his 19-year-old female cousin. Police Cpl. Anthony Bertangna said the gang member allegedly lured the boy close enough to grab both of his arms and pull him to him.
The boy managed to get away and run with his cousin to tell his soccer coach what had happened. The coach tried to tackle down the massive man, but he escaped. A helicopter later found the man hiding in a back yard nearby.
The coach said he really did want to help the child.
“The little boy came crying at me, saying that man wanted to take him. He said that he grabbed him and he started smelling him. I’m a parent, I worry about my kids, and I thought that I had to do something.”
KCAL reported said the abduction attempt was made in a park with many parents and soccer playersaround, and Espinoza had tried to grab another child, a girl, earlier in the evening, but she got away.
This isn’t the first time the portly fellow has been in trouble with the law. Bertagna said Espinoza is an “old-school, old-time” gangster who’s been arrested 60 times in the past 30 years, including charges for drug possession, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder.
Espinoza is facing charges of false imprisonment, child annoyance and more charges.