Concerned citizens stepping forward to protect a shaken girl with officers restraining a suspect in the background in a dusk

County Sheriff Arrests Man in Attempted Kidnapping at Local Park

At a Glance

  • 28-year-old man arrested Dec. 27 for attempted kidnapping at Berry Springs Park.
  • Sheriff praised citizens who intervened to protect a girl.
  • Suspect faces felony charge and $103,000 bond.
  • Why it matters: Community safety and swift citizen action prevented harm.

On Dec. 27, deputies from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Christopher Garza in Berry Springs Park after 911 calls reported an attempted kidnapping of a girl. Witnesses helped restrain the suspect before law-enforcement arrival. The incident highlights the importance of community vigilance.

Incident Details

Deputies responded at 1:26 p.m., finding several witnesses holding the man. They reported that the suspect had tried to kidnap a juvenile female. Garza was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained before officers arrived.

Sheriff Matt Lindemann stated:

> “> I would like to commend and thank the citizens who intervened and acted swiftly to protect a child from harm. While incidents like this are rare in Williamson County, it is truly a blessing that the citizens in the park responded quickly and decisively to ensure a child’s safety.”

Legal Consequences

Garza sits in handcuffs with police badge visible on uniform in dim jail cell with bars and a large Felony Charge sign overhe

Garza now faces a felony charge of attempted kidnapping and a misdemeanor charge of failure to identify. He is held in Williamson County Jail with a total bond of $103,000.

Suspect Charges Bond
Christopher Garza Felony: attempted kidnapping; Misdemeanor: failure to identify $103,000

Key Takeaways

  • Incident demonstrates effectiveness of citizen intervention.
  • Suspect faces serious felony charge and high bond.
  • Community vigilance continues to be vital for park safety.

The swift response by citizens and deputies underscores the community’s role in safeguarding local parks.

Author

  • Brianna Q. Lockwood covers housing, development, and affordability for News of Austin, focusing on how growth reshapes neighborhoods. A UT Austin journalism graduate, she’s known for investigative reporting that follows money, zoning, and policy to reveal who benefits—and who gets displaced.

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