Suspect accused of trying to kidnap girl on Phoenix street

PHOENIX - Police say a man who allegedly tried to kidnap a 12-year-old girl Friday has been arrested.

Phoenix police say the victim was dropped off at 40th Street and Palm Lane and began walking south toward McDowell Road when she crossed in front of a liquor store around 4 p.m.

That's when 61-year-old Londo Burns allegedly got a signal from a woman that the girl was approaching and he turned around and tried to grab the girl in a bear hug, asking her to go with him.

Police say he possibly offered her some money to go with him.

The girl was able to get away and ran to a nearby business center to call 911.

Police located Burns who was taken into custody. He reportedly told officers he had tried to talk to the girl but did not mean to harm her.

The female with Burns was also detained, but reportedly due to impairment she had no knowledge of what had occurred.

Burns was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on one count of attempted kidnapping and an unrelated charge for failing to pay a fine.

Police say Burns had just been released from prison the day before on unspecified federal charges.