Convicted Sex Offender Attempts to Kidnap Woman in Sky Harbor Parking Lot

A man on probation for sexual assault, was arrested over the weekend for attempting to kidnap a woman from a

parking garage at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

On Friday, March 17, police were called to the airport’s parking garage for reports of an attack on a woman.

Authorities say that after the woman landed at Sky Harbor, she headed to her vehicle parked in Economy Lot B. When she got on to the elevator to go up to Level 4, two men entered behind her.

She reportedly asked the men what level they were going to so she could press the elevator floor button for them. One male replied the second level and the other male, which was later identified as the suspect, replied Level 4, the same floor she intended to get off at.

When the elevator reached Level 4, the woman exited and proceeded to walk to her SUV.  She described to officials that as she was placing her luggage in the backseat of her car, a man pushed her down and she fell onto the floor of the backseat. The suspect then asked her if she “wanted to die today?”

As the suspect placed his body on top of hers, the woman fought back as the suspect repeatedly asked if she “wanted to die today.”

The victim was finally able to turn around to face him and she kicked him in the groin, and knocked his glasses off of his face. She continued shoving him away until the suspect finally gave up and walked away.

The victim immediately informed police and they were able to pull video from the Phoenix Sky Train and Valley Metro Rail which showed a man leaving the parking garage area. Court documents detail that the alleged suspect was seen arriving with glasses and leaving without. The parking area where the alleged assault happened did not have surveillance cameras.

Police were able to identify the suspect as 61-year-old Michael Colville. He was arrested at his home near 24th and Van Buren streets on Saturday. At the time of his arrest, he was wearing matching, shorts, shoes and a hat that were seen in the surveillance video.

In addition, a photo of Colville that dates back to June of 2022 show Colville wearing eyeglasses that matched the exact ones recovered at the crime scene.

Colville is currently on probation for sexual assault. He has been charged with kidnapping and probation violation.

Officials with Sky Harbor International Airport released the following statement in concern to this incident:

Safety and security are our top priorities at Sky Harbor. We are very concerned about this incident and the welfare of the customer who had this terrible experience. We employ multiple layers of security throughout our airport system and work closely with our law enforcement partners. This includes regular patrols of our facilities by Phoenix Police, who have an Airport Bureau which is staffed 24/7, along with contracted security and Phoenix Aviation Department staff. We also have blue Emergency Call Boxes located in our Parking facilities. We do have cameras throughout our facilities. The number and specific locations of those cameras is sensitive security information. While we are unable to discuss specific security measures, travelers are always encouraged to report suspicious behavior to local law enforcement, airport or airline employees.