Man admits trying to snatch Escondido child on way to school

A man who tried to abduct a child near Pioneer Elementary School in Escondido pleaded guilty Monday to charges of attempted kidnapping and sending harmful matter to a minor.

Jose Ruiz Cruz, 28, was arrested in February of last year after Escondido police said he drove up to a child walking to school and tried to pull the student inside a vehicle.

The child was able to flee and reported what happened, police said. Police arrested Cruz the following day after spotting the suspect’s vehicle on Auto Parkway near Andreasen Drive.

Cruz, who is slated to be sentenced next month, faces up to nine years and eight months in state prison.