Escondido Cops Nab Alleged Attempted Kidnapper, Find Him Packing Illegal Assault Rifle

ESCONDIDO, CA - Escondido police arrested a 46-year-old San Marcos man Tuesday who they say tried – and in one case, succeeded – luring five different teen girls into a vehicle in which he was stowing an illegal assault rifle.

And authorities say Tuesday's attempted kidnappings were far from a first for Spicer Conant, who was booked on one count each of attempted kidnapping and felony possession of an illegal assault rifle. Additional charges may be pending.

Conant was taken into custody around 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, after an 18-year-old woman reportedly took him up on his offer to enter his red Mazda Miata convertible. Surveillance officers immediately feared for the victim's safety, they said, and pulled Conant over near 13th Avenue and Econdido Boulevard.

That's when they allegedly found an illegal assault rifle in his vehicle, according to an Escondido Police Department news alert. But Conant's arrest was the culmination of a months-long investigation dating back to May 9, 2016.

Attempted luring reports that afternoon included one in which a 15-year-old victim walking near Washington Avenue and Fig Street was "approached by a 40-50 year old white male in a red convertible." The man, who police now believe to be Conant, asked her for directions and thereafter, offered her money to get into his car. She reportedly refused and walked away.

"On the same day at about 1:45 p.m., a 16-year-old female was approached in the same manner, asking for directions," said a news release that documents a laundry list of similar reports. "She was offered $10 to get in the car, and she did. The male drove the minor around for several minutes before dropping her off."

A witness observed the second May 9 incident and took photos of the vehicle with the minor seated inside. Local authorities then disseminated a press release featuring the vehicle and driver description.

"At (that) time of the investigation, it was determined no crime had been committed and the case was suspended," police said.

That is, until this month, when attempted luring reports such as this one resurfaced in the area:

"On (the morning of) Wednesday, March 15th, an-11-year old female was walking to Mission Middle School when she was approached by an older white male in a red car asking her for directions," police said. "She ignored the male and continued on to school."

Police then learned of a separate suspicious incident that occurred around 8:15 a.m. on Monday, March 20. Around that time, a 27-year-old woman said she was approached near the intersection of Broadway and El Norte Parkway by a man driving a red Mazda Miata. The victim's description of the suspect matched that of Conant, police said.

"He asked her for directions, which she gave him, but he then asked her to get in his car," the news release said. "She refused several times, but he persisted. The victim then took out her cell phone to take his photo and he sped away."

Detectives in the Family Protection Unit then reopened the previously suspended 2016 case and launched a fresh investigation. That effort included Tuesday's surveillance of Conant, which started at 6:30 a.m.

"They followed him into Escondido where over the space of about 90 minutes, (he) attempted to get five different females into his car, all in the general area of Mission Ave and Broadway," police said, in a news release. "The ages were 14, 15, 16, 16 and 18."

Conant was arrested after he successfully coerced the aforementioned 18-year-old victim into his vehicle.

This investigation remained ongoing Wednesday morning. Escondido police are asking anyone with information, or any individuals who may have been among Conant's alleged victims, to call Detective Damian Jackson at 760-839-4932. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information via a tip line by calling 760-743-TIPS.

Images via the Escondido Police Department