Man Accused Of Attempting To Lure 11-Year-Old Girl From Walmart

A man is in the Rogers County Jail accused of attempting to kidnap a girl from the Catoosa Walmart.

Investigators said Theodore Insogna tried to lure an 11-year-old out to his car in August, but he was just arrested this week. The affidavit said Insogna followed the girl throughout the store and tried to talk with her when she was away from her mother.

Police said he is in jail on a charge of attempted kidnapping.

The Catoosa Police Department said Theodore Insogna told the 11-year old girl when she wasn't near her mother, she had "a pretty face" and told her "I have something to show you, come out to my car."

When investigators questioned him, they said Insogna admitted to "momentarily impeding" the 11-year old from returning to her mother while speaking with her.

"That's a scary situation that really could have turned bad and we're thankful that it didn't," Corporal Brent Colbert said.

Colbert said the little girl handled the situation correctly. She told her mother, and the mother called police.

"Our victim, the juvenile child, absolutely handled it great, she did absolutely everything right," Colbert said. "Her mom did absolutely everything right by contacting the police, and I feel like our officers and detectives did a thorough investigation."

Colbert said their goal was to have a solid case to give to the district attorney's office. He said Walmart also was a big help by getting police the surveillance video they needed. Colbert said getting the warrant took longer in this case because COVID-19 has caused some courtrooms to close periodically.

"During a big investigation like this, we want to have all our i's dotted and our t's crossed," Colbert said.

The Roger County District Attorney's office said it can't comment on an open case. Insogna is being held on a $200,000 bond.