Police: Abducted N.M. Girl Rescued by Good Samaritan Who Chased Kidnapper [VIDEO]

The attempted kidnapping of a six-year-old New Mexico girl was thwarted on Monday when a concerned citizen jumped into action and chased after the perpetrator.

According to police, the child had walked over to a neighbor’s house at their mobile home park in southwest Albuquerque to pick up a package of tostadas. As she began to head home, a stranger accosted her.

Antonio Diaz Chacon was loading up his truck when he heard a commotion. The father of two looked up and saw the alleged kidnapper grab the child, cover her mouth and force her into a blue van. As the girl’s father began to shout “They stole our little girl,” Chacon hopped into his truck and took off after the van.

He chased the van for several miles before it crashed into a light pole. When the van’s driver exited and fled on foot, Chacon rescued the girl and took her home.

Authorities received several 911 calls about the incident, including one from the child’s older sister. The police were heading to the park when the suspect returned to his van and tried to flee. The officers followed and eventually apprehended the driver when he got stuck on a mesa. A subsequent search of the van found a package of tostadas, just like the ones the girl went to get.

Phillip Garcia, 29, has been charged with kidnapping, child abuse and tampering with evidence. The girl reportedly suffered some bruising during the attack, but is now home safe.

[CNN]