Dubuque man arrested after he tried to kidnap an 11-year-old

DUBUQUE - Dubuque police have arrested and charged a 20-year-old Dubuque man with kidnapping for trying to take an 11-year-old girl Wednesday afternoon.

Officers say Robert Robbins, 20, grabbed the girl as she was walking home from school and add Robbins admitted he intended to sexually abuse her.

The girl told police she was walking home from school in the 2300 block of Green Street when a man she didn't know approached her, according to a release from the Dubuque Police Department. She told investigators the man grabbed her and pulled her between two houses.

'He literally grabbed her off the sidewalk and dragged her to the slightly more remote location,” Dubuque Police Lt. Scott Baxter said.

According to court documents, Robbins said to the girl, 'Don't tell about what I am about to do.”

Police say the girl screamed 'Get away from me,” and was able to fight Robbins off. She ran from him and made her way back home where she immediately told her dad.

On Thursday, just before 2 p.m., the Dubuque School District sent an email to parents informing them of what happened.

'In this situation we're just pleased that the student from what we know did all the right things,” district spokesperson Mike Cyze said.

The notification caused some parents to worry.

'I was a little worried. I actually wanted to leave work and pick my kid up, but you can't really just pull them out of school for that,” Callie Davis said.

'This is a parent's worst nightmare. And this is why it's important for parents to talk to the kid about this topic. And to be open and honest about it,” Lt. Baxter said.

Police say they arrested Robbins where he lives in the 2400 block of Green Street, one block away from where police say he tried to take the girl. The address is for a group home owned by DAC Incorporated, based out of Maquoketa. The non-profit agency offers services for people who have disabilities.

Robbins is expected to appear in court Friday morning.