Girl, 8, fights off alleged would-be kidnapper in clown mask who broke into her room: cops

An 8-year-old girl bravely fought back against a would-be kidnapper wearing a clown mask during a terrifying late-night break-in, according to authorities.The young child – who has not been publicly identified – told cops that the attacker came into her room at her family’s home in Sterling in the early hours of Oct.15 and blindfolded her before taking her from her bed, 9News reported.The girl fought back against the clown-masked intruder — who then bashed her on the head, knocking her out, the outlet reported, citing court documents.When the girl came to, she ran to her mother’s room for help, police said.

She was treated for cuts and bruises — needing staples to the back of her head — but is expected to make a full recovery.The suspect appeared to have entered through the back door, which may have been unlocked — and left behind a pair of gloves and a cloth clown mask in the girl’s room, 9News noted.The girl’s stolen phone was later found on the side of Interstate 76 — with the location data leading to the arrest of a suspect, Thomas Gallegos.The suspect, a 56-year-old neighbor, had been inside the girl’s home the previous weekend to install a new washer and dryer, 9News reported, citing the arrest affidavit.He also admitted being a man captured on security footage wearing dark clothes and carrying a clown mask around the time of the break-in, his wife told cops, according to an affidavit obtained by NBC News.However, the wife told officers that her husband denied the allegations against him.Gallegos is facing charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree assault, third-degree assault and child abuse.He is due in court on Nov.

4.No motive was given for the alleged attack, not an explanation for why the suspect was seen creeping around the area in the clown mask, which reportedly belonged to a grandson....