Attempted kidnapping suspect arrested, charged

Carl Monty Watts, 37, arrested Friday

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A man was arrested Friday after allegedly attempting to kidnap an 18-year-old girl on May 1.

Police said Carl Monty Watts, 37, attempted to strike up a conversation with the victim at a bus stop on Sunrise Boulevard, persistently trying to coax her into his van. When the girl ignored him, he reportedly tried to shove money down her shirt, grab her wrist and then tried pulling her into his van. She pulled away from him just as a bus approached.

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A video camera at the bus stop shows images of Watts just as the victim walked toward the bus, catching a shot of his van.

After seeing himself on the news, Watts called detectives and explained to them that he offered to buy the girl breakfast and denied shoving money down her shirt or grabbing her wrists.

Watts has a criminal history that includes three previous kidnapping charges. He is also on federal probation on a weapons charge.

He was charged Friday on one count of false imprisonment and one count of battery.