Arrest at Virginia Mall Following Attempted Abduction

Authorities apprehended a 26-year-old man connected to over 30 prior criminal incidents after he allegedly attempted to lure a three-year-old girl at a mall in Virginia.

According to the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, on July 18, Andres Caceres Jardin was captured on surveillance footage. He was seen grabbing the girl from a play area and walking away with her at the Fair Oaks shopping center.

It’s unclear if Jardin is a U.S. citizen. After the girl’s father realized she was missing while shopping at a nearby JCPenney, he immediately contacted his wife.

Fortunately, the mother eventually spotted Jardin with her daughter on the second floor of the mall and hurried towards him. When confronted, Jardin claimed the girl was “trying to help” find her parents. Interestingly, he then attempted to flee in a stolen vehicle.

He was quickly arrested at a hotel in the vicinity. Records indicate that just the previous year, Jardin faced multiple charges, including assault, battery, and property damage, largely involving family members as victims.

While awaiting trial on those charges, he was accused once again of assaulting his family. Reports, particularly from NBC Washington, mention that Jardin had been diagnosed with schizophrenia following a psychiatric evaluation related to a prior case, although charges against him concerning family issues were eventually dropped.

In connection with the recent mall incident, Jardin now faces charges of attempted abduction of a minor, along with grand theft. He is currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.