MORENO VALLEY - A parolee allegedly attempted to snatch a 12-year- old girl walking on a Moreno Valley street today, and a quick response by sheriff's deputies led to the suspect's immediate capture.

Jonathan Perez, 23, was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnapping and parole violations after allegedly trying to abduct a child in the 23000 block of Alessandro Boulevard, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The attempted kidnapping was reported shortly before 11 a.m.

A girl told deputies that she was walking in the area when a bicyclist approached her, identifying himself as a member of the local neighborhood watch.

According to the victim, the suspect began to ask her a number of personal questions, and she became uncomfortable, backing away from him.

"The male attempted to hand her something, Advertisement

[ Pala Mesa Resort ] and she began to run away," said sheriff's Sgt. James Rayls. "The male chased her down on foot and grabbed her from behind. The victim began screaming loudly and struggled with the suspect, striking him with her elbows."

The child broke free of the man's grasp, fleeing to a nearby pedestrian, who called 911, Rayls said.

A description of the man was broadcast to deputies in the area, and an anti-gang investigator in the vicinity began looking for the suspect, Rayls said.

Moments later, Perez -- matching the description provided by the witness -- was spotted by the deputy, who arrested him without incident, Rayls said.

After identifying Perez, the girl went home with her mother, according to Rayls.

Perez is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.