Hunter High School will test pilot a weapons detection system for the Granite School District. (Hunter High Wolverines | Facebook)
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — The Unified Police Department says it has arrested 44-year-old Creed Cole Lujan in connection with a possible abduction near Hunter High School in West Valley City.
Officials booked Lujan into the Salt Lake County Jail on a number of charges, including investigation of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse of a child, rape, distribution of pornographic materials, two counts of aggravated assault, threat of violence and evidence tampering.
Police say Lujan already has a lengthy rap sheet. He pleaded guilty in 2009 to attempted murder in 3rd District Court in exchange for a charge of aggravated kidnapping being dismissed. Police say Lujan attempted to kill a hotel housekeeper at the Crystal Inn in West Valley City. A judge sentenced him to three years to life in Utah State Prison.
Police say the alleged abduction happened around 2:30 p.m. Monday as a female student walked home from school.
“We do know that she was taken by force,” said Sergeant Melody Gray with Unified Police.
Specifically, Lujan is accused of forcing the girl into a vehicle, then taking off “to another location, which was his home,” Gray said.
The Granite School District says the girl was able to escape; her friends later found her.
Granite School District Spokesman Ben Horsley says the school will have social workers available at Hunter High for any students who are concerned.
Horsley also says this is a good reminder that no matter how old you are, it’s always best for students to walk home in groups.
We would ask parents to take some common-sense approaches to their student safety. In this day and age, unfortunately, no matter how old you are sometimes it’s best not to walk alone.
He hopes this incident doesn’t unfairly reflect on the high school, because it’s typically a safe school and community environment.
“This is a great place to live and a great neighborhood and a great community,” he said. “Showing forth a lot of love and support for this family is the best way to get through these circumstances.”