Surveillance video that would almost certainly be horrifying to any parent of young children shows a man grabbing a 4-year-old boy and attempting to leave a store with him in Miami Beach on Thursday. But fortunately, the boy’s father was right there and thwarted his will. -Become a kidnapper.
What are the details?
The boy’s mother came out of the CVS Pharmacy on the corner of Collins Street and 74th Street just before noon, her son and husband walking behind her. WPLG-TV reported.
Surveillance video shows a man, identified by police as 26-year-old Nicholas Starnaman, enter the store at the same time, turn around, bend down and grab the boy by the neck, police said.
WPLG cited the arrest report as saying that Sternaman lifted the boy off the ground and turned him toward the store’s door to leave, but the father sprang into action and held Sternaman down until Sternaman let go of his son. He said he grabbed it.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
According to police, the mother turned around and punched the boy, causing him to fall onto his back, but was not injured. Her mother picked her son up and held her, WPLG said, adding that police noticed the boy was frightened.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
Police said Sternaman fled, leaving his jacket behind, and as the witness and his father chased him south on Collins Street, Sternaman took off his sweater and threw it at him.
Officers also joined in the chase and arrested Sternaman along Harding Street near 71st Avenue, WPLG said, adding that Sternaman faces felony charges of aggravated child abuse and assault.
This is not the first arrest.
According to the department, on January 3, police arrested Starnaman, a resident of the penthouse of the Mirador 1000 condominium in South Beach, on suspicion of petty theft.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
According to WPLG, Miami-Dade County court records show he was released on $150 bail, and his status hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. Thursday, pending a hearing. His misdemeanor trial was scheduled for April 1, it added.
Detectives asked anyone with information to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477, the department said.
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