A man who tried to abduct two children within days of each other at the Westfield Mission Valley mall pleaded guilty this week to charges that include attempted kidnapping. Rene Arturo Lujan, 43, admitting grabbing two girls on June 18 and June 20, 2024, leading to his arrest roughly two hours af ter the second kidnap attempt. Lujan faces a maximum possible prison term of 12 years when he is sentenced in April. Mission Valley mall kidnapping Mission Valley Jun 25, 2024 Judge orders Mission Valley Mall double-kidnapping suspect held without bail Mission Valley Jun 20, 2024 Mission Valley Mall kidnapping arrestee also charged in second kidnapping: SDPD Mission Valley Jun 20, 2024 Manhunt underway after 2nd girl this week escapes kidnapper at Mission Valley Mall Mission Valley Jun 18, 2024 San Diego police investigating attempted kidnapping at Mission Valley mall The incidents at Mission Valley Mall On June 18, 2024, a 6-year-old girl was pushing a stroller with her 8-month-old brother inside, walking behind her mother in front of Buffalo Wild Wings when a man came up behind her, grabbed her by the shoulders, picked her up and walked 4-5 feet, according to the San Diego Police Department. The girl cried out, prompting her mother to turn around and confront the suspect, who said he believed the girl was someone else before he walked away and drove off, police said. The mother and her daughter then went to speak with security at the nearby Target store, where the mother called 911, SDPD Lt. Bryan Brecht said at the time. In the second incident, which took place around 2 p.m. on June 20, a girl about 5 years old was picked up by the suspect, who attempted to carry the child away and place her into a vehicle, police said. The girl’s mother, Amanda Hartwell, told NBC 7 that her daughter, her sister and a friend had just been dropped off at the play area by a family member. An employee of the bounce house amusement park Inflatable World described the kidnapping. She only wanted to be identified by her first name for fear of her safety. “I’m thinking maybe that’s their dad, maybe going to pay or something, real quick, and he comes, gets out of the car, grabs the littlest one, picks her up and walks away with her,” Jazmine said. The Chevy Volt suspected to be driven by the kidnapper pulled over on SR-94 on Thursday. Without a second thought, she ran out of the park toward the man. “I immediately knew something was wrong, so I ran out the door, and I grabbed her from him, and he just dipped,” Jazmine said. “I did ask if they knew him, and they said they don’t know him at all.” The black vehicle in that encounter matched the description of the getaway car. Hours later, Lujan was located by police on state Route 94 between Interstates 15 and 805, police said. The vehicle was located with the assistance of digital license plate readers. The scene at the Mission Valley Mall on Thursday The suspect’s father spoke with NBC 7 following the arrest and said his son has struggled with mental health issues and showed sympathy for the victims. He added that he felt his son is in a “better place now” for what he’s going through and hopes he can get help. Court records show Lujan was arrested and charged in at least two other cases in 2000 and 2009 for other unknown crimes. The case from 2000 was sealed by court officials, but the second, later case involved a DUI in East County. Lujan was sentenced the following year to five years probation and 21 days of confinement, as well as a fine. ...read more read less