UMATILLA, Fla. – A man arrested Friday in Umatilla is accused of trying to run over several children at a bus stop, at one point grabbing and attacking a girl, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Arthur James Young, 59, faces charges of aggravated assault, child abuse and kidnapping, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Deputies responded around 8:30 a.m. to a report that Young was using a pickup truck to try and run over three middle-school-age children as they waited at their bus stop in the area of Mills Street, the statement reads.
The 911 caller intervened to protect the kids, prompting Young to flee until he eventually exited the pickup and grabbed a girl who was walking to the bus stop along Church Street, the sheriff’s office said.
Young allegedly held the girl down and tried to choke her before other citizens rushed to help her, the statement reads, adding one of the bystanders fired two gunshots as a warning.
The immediate and heroic actions of the complainant and other residents in the area likely saved lives and allowed responding law enforcement personnel to apprehend Young within minutes of the initial call being received.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office: EUSTIS MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTACKING CHILDREN AT BUS STOP 11/22/2024 (excerpt)
Young was taken into custody before being hospitalized for evaluation, according to the sheriff’s office. Availability of his bond amount and an updated booking photo are pending Young’s release from the hospital.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: