San Francisco kidnapping suspect's mother speaks out

Thursday, March 23, 2017
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco Police arrested 26-year-old Lee Eigl Wednesday night. They say Eigl tried to kidnap a 13-year-old girl Wednesday with the intent to rape her.
Two unnamed people being described as heroes pulled the girl from Eigl's car around 5 p.m. Wednesday at Taraval and Forest Side Avenue when she began screaming.
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Police stopped Eigl in a car less than 6 hours later.

Eigl's home is approximately 2-miles from where the alleged attempted abduction occurred.

Eigl's mother Gail was outside the home as police searched it Thursday.

"Every single person I've talked to his brother, his best friend, was like what," said Gail Eigl.
"He has a loving girlfriend," she continued.
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Gail Eigl says police contacted her Wednesday. She says he was on his way to Taraval Station to speak with investigators when police stopped him.

"He said he had been drinking a little bit and smoking marijuana and he was out of it. They questioned him until the early morning," said Eigl's mother.

RELATED: Lafayette kidnapping victim says suspect was more nervous than he was

Police booked Eigl for kidnapping and assault with intent to rape a minor.



"Well, what would you think you feel like crap of course," said his mother.

"We've all been down this road in the past where things ended differently and tragically so we know how huge this was these heroes came and helped this young lady get away," said Assistant Chief Toney Chaplin with San Francisco Police Department.
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"She actually aided in her rescue by screaming for help," Assistant Chief Chaplin also said.
San Francisco Police say to their knowledge Eigl didn't know the victim. Now the Special Victims Unit is investigating whether there are more victims.

"Special Victims Unit investigators are going to be exploring that possibility," said Assistant Chief Chaplin.



"Of course I love him dearly and I hope that they're wrong," said Gail Eigl.

Police credit witnesses with not only saving the 13-year-old girl but also providing a vehicle description and partial plate that helped investigators.
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