“I’ve got a brown Ford Ranger pickup with a male and possibly a small child in the front refusing to yield.” That alert observation by Phoenix police K9 officer Mike Burns launched a pursuit for a kidnapper law enforcement officers all over the state had been hunting for seven hours on Christmas day. Just after 9:30 p.m. Officer Burns was on the east side of Phoenix when he spotted a possible suspect vehicle. The license plate wasn’t a match but the vehicle description was the same given by witnesses. He followed the truck for a short time and could see a child inside; certain this was the young girl the entire city was searching for, he tried to pull the driver over, but the suspect took off.
Officer Burns called for help and began his pursuit. He knew if the vehicle got out of his sight the child would likely not survive her abductor. The chase picked up steam as the suspect, later identified as 45 year-old Larry Jon Ladwig, grew more desperate; 60 miles an hour, 70 miles an hour, 80 miles an hour. Refusing to surrender, he was ultimately taken down after his vehicle hit stop sticks and crashed off of 21st Avenue and Thunderbird. There was a short foot pursuit, during which he assaulted a police officer, but Ladwig was soon in police custody. A voice came back on the radio, “Can somebody there confirm the (girl) please?” After a short pause, the reply came through. “Yes, it’s her.” And with that a 5 year-old girl was rescued from the man who snatched her from her family while she innocently played with her sisters.
On December 29, Officer Mike Burns was honored for his alert actions which likely saved the life of this young child. Chalking it up to “being in the right place at the right time”, Officer Burns shied away from the attention and accolades lavished upon him by the Phoenix Police Department, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, and Senator John McCain. He also received a certificate from Art Brooks, Amber Alert Coordinator for the state of Arizona, which stated, “For his courage, bravery and quick actions in the safe recovery of an abducted child”.
Commander T.J. Martin understands the significance of the incident. “I’ve been on for 28 years and I was so proud of Mike, and to be a city of Phoenix police officer. It was absolutely incredible.” Around 2 p.m. on Christmas day, the young victim and her two sisters, ages 7 and 9, were playing by a tree in a common area of an apartment complex near 19th Avenue and Cactus Road where they live with their aunt. The suspect approached the group of young girls with a camera. At one point he grabbed the 7 year-old victim, pulled down her pants and took a picture. He then forcibly put the 5 year-old into his truck and drove off.
This young victim was rescued, but was unfortunately sexually molested by her abductor. He was unknown to the family and it is rare in stranger abduction cases that so much time can pass. Suspect Larry Jon Ladwig can not harm any more children; he has been booked into jail for kidnapping, sexual molestation of a child, aggravated assault on a police officer and felony flight. Many people helped rescue this little, girl, but ultimately one watchful lawman made the difference, changing this story from one with a possibly tragic ending, to a story with a joyous conclusion.