A 38-year-old man described as having squinty or “sleepy” eyes is in San Diego Central Jail on charges he tried to kidnap a 17-year-old girl about 7:15 a.m. May 31, authorities said Tuesday, who are looking for other possible victims or witnesses.
Originally arrested six or seven hours after the May incident, Thomas Luis Salas bailed himself out but was remanded to jail Monday immediately after his arraignment, said Lt. Charles Lara. His new bail was set at $750,000.
Lara said Salas approached the girl at a bus stop on the southeast corner of 30th Street and El Cajon Boulevard.
Driving a light blue, metallic 2011 Ford Escape, Salas left the vehicle running with the door open and approached the girl, Lara said.
“Salas made casual conversation with the girl and extended his hand for a ‘handshake,’” he said. “When the juvenile went to shake his hand, Salas forcefully grabbed her arm and pulled her toward his vehicle. The juvenile fought back and ran away.”
Mid-City Division officers and detectives responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. Evidence was gathered and Salas was identified as the suspect and arrested for attempted kidnapping.
San Diego police are seeking the public’s help to identify any other possible victims.
Salas is described as Hispanic, 5-foot-9, 220 pounds and a heavy build. He was unshaven with a goatee.
Besides his “sleepy” eyes, Salas has a large tattoo on his right arm of a cartoon face inside of a “sunburst” or “flame” design. Salas may have approached other women, particularly juvenile females, with his phone out attempting to engage them in conversation.
Anyone with information regarding Salas or think they have been approached by Salas is asked to contact Mid-City Division Acting Detective Deanna Mora at 619-516-3066 or Detective Sgt. Don Williams at 619-516-3006.
