SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — A registered sex offender has been arrested after attempting to lure and kidnap a three-year-old child in south Salt Lake, the South Salt Lake Police Department said.
Travis James Groce, 43, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of child kidnapping, a first-degree felony.
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Just after 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, South Salt Lake Police were dispatched to an attempted child abduction. The father of the three-year-old victim told police he watched the suspect, described as a “heavier set male wearing a black coat and glasses” attempt to lure his child into a black Tesla before fleeing the scene, the affidavit states.
Police conducted a records check for the Tesla, and found the car registered to Groce — a registered sex offender. Groce was previously convicted of lewdness involving a child, the affidavit states.
An “Attempt to Locate” was broadcasted across police channels, and Taylorsville Police apprehended Groce and placed him in custody. When police spoke with Groce’s wife, she reportedly told them that Groce had told her “police were most likely on their way to arrest him,” the affidavit states.