Passersby stop man in both attempts to kidnap girls, officials say
Prosecutors said a Michigan man attempted to kidnap two girls in two separate incidents. Both times he was stopped by passersby who intervened and allowed the girls to escape safely.
On the afternoon of Aug. 13, Endi Bala allegedly attempted to arrest a 15-year-old walking on a street in Clinton Township, just outside of Detroit. A witness intervened and allowed the victim to escape, according to the Macomb County District Attorney’s Office.
About an hour later, Bala allegedly walked to Clinton River Park North in nearby Sterling Heights, grabbed a 7-year-old girl from her bike, put her in his car and tried to drive away. Officials said a passerby cornered his vehicle to prevent him from driving away, allowing the young girl to escape.
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Bala, 23, was charged with attempted false imprisonment, assault, kidnapping and reckless driving.
He was arraigned Tuesday in 41B Clinton Township District Court, where a judge set bail at $2 million and ordered a psychiatric evaluation. Bala was also arraigned in 41A Sterling Heights District Court, where he was denied bail and remains held in the Macomb County Jail.
“As a community, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the brave Good Samaritans who did not hesitate to step in and risk their own safety to save these young girls,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said in a news release. “Their quick actions not only prevented a crime from occurring, but also ensured that these brave girls were able to return home safely.”