Man tries to kidnap two boys

OTAY MESA (CNS) – A man attempted to kidnap two 9-year-old boys from an Otay Mesa-area recreation center, but was stopped by an off-duty federal agent, a coach and others, a police officer said Friday.

The 26-year-old suspect first entered a nearby house that was under construction shortly after 5 p.m. Friday and told the owner “I have to do this,” San Diego police Officer Robert Heims said.

The owner had a couple of construction workers kick him out of the house, and he headed across the street to the Silver Wing Recreation Center at 3737 Arey Drive, Heims said.

He grabbed a boy and started to walk away, but dropped the child after being confronted by a coach, according to the officer. He grabbed another boy and repeated his cryptic message before the coach, an off-duty federal agent and several others forced him to release the boy.

The suspect was held for police, Heims said. His name was not immediately available.

Neither boy was injured, Heims said.