A Georgia mother experienced almost unthinkable things when she spotted a “tug of war” with a man after allegedly trying to grab her young son at Walmart.
Caroline Miller was Visit Walmart Last week, in Acworth with her 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son, when a wheelchair in a family was broken in the aisle of a pharmacy. A while later, 56-year-old Mahendra Patel is said to have approached his family. I told WSB.
“He turned his arms like this, where is this, when he reached out, put his hands on Jude and grabbed him from my knees,” Miller said.
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Mahendra Patel is being charged with lure, simple assault and simple battery after allegedly attempting to steal a two-year-old boy from his mother at a Walmart in Acworth, Georgia. (Cobb County Sheriff's Office)
Miller was able to “broke” with his son as Patel is said to be holding the child.
“I pulled him back,” Miller said. “We're squeezing the tags.”
Following the argument, Patel left, bought Tylenol and left the store, WSB reported. The child was unharmed, police said.
By speaking to witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage of the case, detectives were able to identify Patel, according to the Acworth Police Department.
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Caroline Miller was shopping at Walmart when Mahendra Patel allegedly tried to grab her 2-year-old son. (Google Maps)
Three days later, Patel was arrested and charged with lure, simple assault and simple battery, police said.
“We could see the car he went in, followed the cameras, used herd cameras in the city, [were] Sergeant Eric Mistretta of Acworth Police Station told WSB.
Online jail records show Patel is being held without bonds at the Cobb County Sheriff's Office. No lawyers are listed for him.
“The safety of our customers and peers is our number one priority, and we continue to work closely with the police through this investigation,” a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement from Fox News Digital.
Police in Acworth, Georgia arrested Patel after allegedly tempted him. (Akuworth police)
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Despite the horrifying encounter, Miller is grateful that both of her children are safe, and says the children are prepared for potentially life-threatening situations.
“As much as I think it's going to happen, it's going to be prepared for me, and when it happens,” she told WSB.
