Mich. citizen patrol officer stops alleged kidnapping of 7-year-old at park

By Susan Smiley
The Macomb Daily, Mount Clemens, Mich.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — A Sterling Heights Citizen on Patrol is being credited with stopping a kidnapping at Clinton River Park North on Tuesday afternoon.

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The suspect in the alleged abduction of a 7-year-old girl is a 23-year-old Endi Bala of Shelby Township who was taken into custody and is facing charges of kidnapping, felonious assault and assault and battery.

Sterling Heights Police officers were dispatched to Clinton River Park North at approximately 2:20 p.m.in response to a 911 caller who stated there was an altercation and that a child had possibly been struck by a car.

The Citizen on Patrol observed the incident as it unfolded and intervened, pulling Bala from the car.

When Sterling Heights Police officers arrived, it was discovered that Bala had attempted to kidnap the girl. The suspect was taken into custody and the incident is under investigation.

Bala is wanted for a previous kidnapping attempt in Clinton Township earlier on Aug. 13. The Clinton Township Police Department is pursuing charges for that incident as well.

Anyone with information about the incident at Clinton River Park North on Tuesday is asked to contact the Sterling Heights Police Investigation Bureau.

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