Father Foils Alleged Attempted Kidnapping Of 10-Year-Old Daughter By Home Intruder

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on multiple charges after he allegedly broke into a vacation rental and attempted to kidnap a 10-year-old girl in Lincoln City, Oregon, this week.

Officers were dispatched to an alleged burglary in progress at 10:40 p.m. Wednesday at the rental home, according to a statement from the Lincoln City Police Department.

The intruder, later identified as Joshua Hawkins, of Federal Way, Washington, allegedly entered the premises through an unlocked door. But when he was in the kitchen, the unnamed 10-year-old daughter of the renters allegedly spotted him, police said.

The intruder attempted to take the girl by grabbing her and pulling her toward him, according to police. He allegedly told her that she was a human trafficking victim and that he was going to save her, police said.

The young girl managed to escape and ran to her parents to tell them that there was a man in the house. The girl's father, Roberto Gaona, confronted Hawkins and physically detained him until police arrived. It was not mentioned if the father and Hawkins engaged in any physical altercation.

Responding officers allegedly found several hard plastic zip-ties reportedly about 18 inches in length as well as other burglary tools on Hawkins, according to the police report.

Hawkins was taken to the Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital for medical evaluation because the 33-year-old man appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance, according to police.

After he was cleared by medical staff for jail custody, Hawkins allegedly attempted to escape as he was being brought to a police car. The man allegedly slipped out of his handcuffs and started to fight off a police officer in the ER parking lot.

Hawkins was eventually restrained and handcuffed again. The officer that he assaulted was checked, and no injuries were reported.

Hawkins was booked into Lincoln County Jail on charges of first-degree burglary, attempted kidnapping, possession of burglary tools, attempted escape, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

"Lincoln City Police would like to remind everyone to stay safe and vigilant by keeping the doors locked on their homes and vehicles," police wrote in the statement.