Harrowing video released by authorities in Virginia shows the moment a man snatches a young girl wandering alone at a local mall.
According to Fairfax County police, the toddler was approached by 26-year-old Andres Caceres Jaldin on July 18, shortly after exiting a play area inside Fair Oaks Mall, WUSA reported.
In the 44-second surveillance video clip, a man can been milling about near the indoor play area, before the barefoot girl appears and stops outside the JCPenney.
The man then appears to bend down and speak to the girl as he scoops her up in his arms and walks out of frame.
Police said he made it to the upper level of the mall before his alleged abduction attempt was foiled by the girls’ parents.
He still managed to flee the scene, but he was arrested at a nearby motel a short time later. He allegedly stole a car prior to the incident at the mall, and authorities managed to track it to the motel parking lot in Chantilly.
Jaldin is facing charges including abduction of a minor and grand larceny. He’s being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond.
According to court documents obtained ABC 13, the suspect has a lengthy criminal history, which includes criminal assault and battery.
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