Brave 9-year-old Colorado girl escapes apparent kidnapper, calls police

(CBS/AP) DENVER - A 9-year-old girl who was reported missing escaped from her apparent kidnapper and called 911 from a convenience store in Colorado Springs on Friday.

The Pueblo girl was reported missing Thursday night after she didn't return home from school.

Jose Garcia, 29, was arrested and held on suspicion of kidnapping and could face a charge of sexual assault on a child. Garcia is also suspected in the molestation of a different girl, Pueblo police Capt. Eric Bravo said.

Police say the girl escaped after the alleged kidnapper's car broke down Friday morning in Colorado Springs, and passerby gave them a ride to a Circle K. The girl ran into the convenience store and asked to use the phone to call her uncle but instead called 911, which prompted the man to take off, authorities said.

"Once she realized she had that window of opportunity, she became a hero and rescued herself by calling 911," Colorado Springs police spokeswoman Barbara Miller said in a statement.

Efren Vialpando told The Gazette he saw the girl come in the Circle K with two black eyes and a bruise on her lip and face. She had refused to leave the store with the man, saying, "I ain't going nowhere. I'm waiting for my momma." He said the suspect fled after that.

Police immediately began a search for Garcia when they arrived at the store and notified transportation hubs. An employee at a bus terminal recognized Garcia and notified police, who quickly arrested the man without incident.

The girl was taken to a hospital Friday morning. Miller said details of the girl's condition won't be released because of her age.