Colorado, Oct 24, (V7N) – In a remarkable act of bravery, an 8-year-old girl fought off an attacker wearing a clown mask during a home invasion in Sterling, Colorado, on October 15.

Sterling Police responded to the scene just before 2:30 a.m. following reports of an attempted child abduction. Officers discovered that the suspect had broken into the home and entered the girl’s bedroom. After blindfolding her, the intruder attempted to kidnap her. In a courageous struggle, the girl fought back, but the assailant knocked her unconscious before fleeing the scene.

When she regained consciousness, the girl alerted her parents, who quickly called law enforcement. The young victim suffered injuries, including a cut to the back of her head that required staples and damage to her right eye.

The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Thomas Gallegos, left behind a cloth clown mask and gloves, along with the girl’s stolen phone. Police used location data from the phone to track him down. Gallegos is a neighbor who had helped the family with a recent appliance installation just two days prior to the attack.

Gallegos was arrested on October 19 and faces multiple charges, including felony first-degree burglary and attempted kidnapping, as well as second-degree assault and child abuse. He is currently held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on November 4. It is not known if he has legal representation.

Authorities encourage anyone with information regarding the case to contact the Sterling Police Department at 970-522-3512.

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