This was in the Tribune last week and we wanted everyone to know about it if you hadnt heard about it yet. To be completely honest, there was a picture of him in the newspaper and he is a normal looking 24 year old. That makes it even worse. You cant be too sure now a days.
A suspected serial child molester was arrested near Queen Creek on Wednesday night after one of his alleged victims spotted him at a park and neighbors chased him down, authorities said.
Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vazquez said Matthew Alan Clack, 24, was arrested by deputies after a 13-year-old victim from a July molestation and attempted kidnapping case recognized Clack at a Pecan Creek neighborhood park and yelled out "that’s him."
"When she did, several citizens went in a foot chase of him — chasing him in and around houses," he said. "They dialed 911 and after a very fast response time from deputies in that area, we were able to help the citizens to apprehend Clack."
Over the summer, a series of molestations and attempted kidnappings took place in the Castlegate and Pecan Creek neighborhoods in an unincorporated area east of Queen Creek.
"Ever since the initial incident happened in July the community has really been on alert," Vasquez said. "They can now, I believe, breathe a sigh of relief that a child predator is no longer roaming the streets."
Clack may be responsible for at least five attempted or actual molestations in the Johnson Ranch, Queen Creek and Mesa areas, Vasquez said.
"Based on our interview with him, he admitted that he does have a serious problem, and he admitted to as many as five attempts or actual molestations," he said.
Clack was booked into Pinal County Jail on felony charges of sexual assault and attempted kidnapping for the July case.
Dena Larsen, the blockwatch coordinator for Pecan Creek, said she got goose bumps when she heard about the arrest.
"The fact that there was an arrest made, solidified to me, that we do have dangerous things happening out there, and we can’t turn a blind eye," she said. "I’m glad there’s another person off the street that’s causing harm."
Larsen, a mother of two young girls, said she hopes some residents in the area see this as an "eye-opener" because she’s seen little supervision of children in the neighborhood.
"Parents need to look at what is lurking out there," she said. "There is a risk, and it’s right here in our own backyard."
Vasquez called this case "a prime example of a community working together with law enforcement" and said neighbors who helped catch Clack "should be proud of themselves."
Vasquez said his department, along with other agencies, are trying to track down others Clack may have attacked. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Lisa Swinton at (520) 866-5149.
Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vazquez said Matthew Alan Clack, 24, was arrested by deputies after a 13-year-old victim from a July molestation and attempted kidnapping case recognized Clack at a Pecan Creek neighborhood park and yelled out "that’s him."
"When she did, several citizens went in a foot chase of him — chasing him in and around houses," he said. "They dialed 911 and after a very fast response time from deputies in that area, we were able to help the citizens to apprehend Clack."
Over the summer, a series of molestations and attempted kidnappings took place in the Castlegate and Pecan Creek neighborhoods in an unincorporated area east of Queen Creek.
"Ever since the initial incident happened in July the community has really been on alert," Vasquez said. "They can now, I believe, breathe a sigh of relief that a child predator is no longer roaming the streets."
Clack may be responsible for at least five attempted or actual molestations in the Johnson Ranch, Queen Creek and Mesa areas, Vasquez said.
"Based on our interview with him, he admitted that he does have a serious problem, and he admitted to as many as five attempts or actual molestations," he said.
Clack was booked into Pinal County Jail on felony charges of sexual assault and attempted kidnapping for the July case.
Dena Larsen, the blockwatch coordinator for Pecan Creek, said she got goose bumps when she heard about the arrest.
"The fact that there was an arrest made, solidified to me, that we do have dangerous things happening out there, and we can’t turn a blind eye," she said. "I’m glad there’s another person off the street that’s causing harm."
Larsen, a mother of two young girls, said she hopes some residents in the area see this as an "eye-opener" because she’s seen little supervision of children in the neighborhood.
"Parents need to look at what is lurking out there," she said. "There is a risk, and it’s right here in our own backyard."
Vasquez called this case "a prime example of a community working together with law enforcement" and said neighbors who helped catch Clack "should be proud of themselves."
Vasquez said his department, along with other agencies, are trying to track down others Clack may have attacked. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Lisa Swinton at (520) 866-5149.
0 comments:
Post a Comment