An attempted abduction of a teen on her way to school was thwarted Wednesday and the girl's attacker was arrested, police said.

Shawn Jarrett, 37, of Gillett Street was charged with second-degree kidnapping, second-degree reckless endangerment and breach of peace, police said. He was in custody Thursday morning with bail set at $500,000.

According to police, Jarrett approached a 17-year-old who was walking to school on Gillett Street Wednesday morning. He grabbed her as she walked away and dragged her into the laundry room of an apartment building at 31 Gillett St., they said.

He ran away when a resident walked into the laundry room, police said. The teen was not seriously injured.

Lt. Brian Foley said Jarrett was on the sex offender registry for 10 years after he was convicted of a sex-related crime from 1995. He was convicted of fourth-degree sexual assault and unlawful restraint and sentenced to four years in prison plus probation, he said.

According to Courant archives, Jarrett was arrested in December 1995 after he was accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in a North End home. His original charges were first-degree sexual assault and unlawful restraint.