41-year-old man is arrested after allegedly trying to kidnap an 11-year-old girl in Ogden

Ogden, Utah– According to police reports a 41-year-old man is arrested after allegedly trying to kidnap an 11-year-old girl in Ogden.

After an employee was able to stop the attempted kidnapping police were called to a local elementary school Tuesday.

According to authorities  Ira Cox-Berry allegedly approached and grabbed the young girl on the playground, pulling her away as if he intended to leave with her.

A school employee that was nearby confronted Cox-Berry and demanded he leave. The employee was able to usher the children into an adjacent classroom when the man momentarily unhanded the student.

When Cox-Berry approached the building began punching the window in an apparent attempt to force his way inside. A that moment the employee produced a firearm and held Cox-Berry off while calling 911.

The police arrived very soon and took Cox-Berry into custody after a brief struggle.

The officials say the school employee is a Concealed Firearm Permit holder and were lawfully in possession of his gun when the incident occurred.

Investigators didn’t identify a link between Cox-Berry and the young girl.

The accused Cox-Berry has been booked into the Weber County Jail on one count of Child Kidnapping, a first-degree felony.