ARLINGTON –Police arrested a 45-year-old Arlington man Monday after he allegedly tried to kidnap a 16-year-old girl who fought off and broke free from her attacker.

Police responded to a 1:15 p.m. call from the victim in downtown Legion Park. She reported that a man forcefully grabbed her and tried to drag her into a public bathroom at the park on N. Olympic Ave.

The girl told police that as she struggled to break free, he tightened his grip, causing her to fear being kidnapped, city spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said.

The girl, who was not injured in the attack, was able to escape, and the man fled the scene. She provided officers with a clear description of the suspect and later identified him.

After spending the afternoon and early evening searching for the suspect, officers located him at 8:15 p.m. and took him into custody. He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail in Everett on a count of attempted kidnapping in the second degree with sexual motivation.