Virginia man arrested for kidnapping 13-year-old girl in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts (WGGB/WSHM) — Springfield detectives arrested a man at a jail in Front Royal, Virginia, on Tuesday in connection with a kidnapping in Springfield.

According to Springfield police, police received a missing person report on July 28 for a 13-year-old girl who had run away from home.

The video showed her leaving the house at around 1:40 a.m. and getting into a car.

Working with the girl's family, police identified 31-year-old Raul Arellano as the suspect and found his car heading south in Virginia.

Virginia State Police caught up with them in the town of New Market, found the girl and arrested Arellano.

After further investigation, police determined that Arellano had left his home in Alabama and driven to Springfield after speaking to the girl online.

Officials believe the two had previously met in Alabama, where the girl's primary residence is.

Investigators have since flown back to San Francisco State with Arellano, who is now charged with kidnapping.

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