NATIONAL CITY, Calif.—
Two teenagers were honored Tuesday by the National City Police Department for their brave actions which led to the capture of a registered sex offender.Guadalupe Perez, 13, and Maricla Barron, 19, played a role in the arrest of Leonard Scroggins and were awarded plaques at the National City Council meeting.
"It's a little overwhelming, because I didn't expect any of this," said Barron.
Both girls were extremely humble.
"To have people like the mayor praising me -- I felt kind of special," Perez said."
"I told them, 'Not only did you save your life -- I know you saved other lives,'" National City Police Chief Adolfo Gonzales said.
Police said Perez was attacked by Scroggins last month while she was walking home from school. The 13-year-old was able to fight him off with his own knife. She gave investigators a detailed description of her attacker, which led to his arrest.
"I really didn't think about anything. I just thought about saving myself," Perez explained.
Barron also said instinct kicked in when she battled Scroggins, who attempted to steal her purse.
"The voice in my head just told me to get his license plate, so I read it, repeated it, and was able to memorize it," Barron said.
Police ran the license number through the Department of Motor Vehicles database. The registration information led them to Scroggins. He has a lengthy criminal history, including rape, and he now faces several new charges.
