A Los Angeles tow truck driver who took in a stranded motorist and 12 year old girl who was with him, tipped off police that the girl might have been kidnapped.

Marcelino Benites, 44, was arrested for kidnapping and possible child molestation charges at the truck driver's home, where he and the girl had stayed the night before. The girl was reported missing after she failed to show up for school March 11 in San Pablo. Two days later a statewide "Amber Alert" bulletin was issued, notifying the public of the child's disappearance. The truck drive, whose named was not released, saw the Amber Alert message and recognized the description of the car. His call led to the girl's reunion with her foster family hundreds of miles away.

Submitted on: 03/17/03