Waterbury man arrested after trying to lure Jewish Girl into trunk of his car

Waterbury police have apprehended a local resident accused of trying to kidnap an 8-year-old Jewish girl on Sunday night. Authorities responded to Columbia Boulevard around 7:45 p.m. after concerned parents reported a suspicious vehicle outside their home.

Security footage reviewed by investigators revealed a black 2019 Honda Pilot creeping along the street, braking sporadically. A young girl in a reddish jacket trailed behind it, unaware of the danger. The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Christopher Rosa, stepped out of the vehicle and opened his trunk, apparently attempting to lure the child inside. The girl sensed something was wrong. She ran into her house and told her parents, who quickly called the police.

The girl’s father, speaking anonymously to News 8, explained, "My daughter walks in, and she comes over to me and tells me a man pulled over and tried to tell me to come to the car, and then he said I should go in the trunk. They usually go to the back of their car to take out the packages. That’s what she thought, until she realized there were no packages there, and he was making room in the trunk for her to sit."

Rosa, a Waterbury resident, was tracked down to his home on Rosengarten Drive and taken into custody. He now faces charges of first-degree stalking, second-degree breach of peace, and risk of injury to a minor. After posting a $100,000 bond, he was released and is scheduled to appear in court later this week.

Police are urging anyone with information about this incident or other encounters with Rosa to come forward. Tips can be shared with the Waterbury Police Detective Bureau at (203) 574-6941 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (203) 755-1234.