NEW YORK — A parolee previously charged with murder was arrested after police said he tried to kidnap a young girl who was walking down the street with her father.
An 8-year-old girl and her father were walking in the Bronx on Wednesday afternoon when a man grabbed the child, a New York City Police Department spokesperson confirmed via email.
The child’s father spoke with News 12 The Bronx and said they were returning home from the store, when the little girl wanted to stop to play in some leaves. The father described a man charging at them and then dragging the little girl away by her shirt.
The father said there were police officers nearby, who were able to quickly chase down and catch the man, News 12 reported.
Police identified the suspect as Juan Rivera, and said he was charged with kidnapping, harassment and unlawful imprisonment.
A police spokesperson said Rivera has five prior arrests for charges including attempted murder and murder. Rivera was on parole at the time of the attack, according to News 12.
The child’s father told News 12 his daughter is traumatized, and wants other families to be aware of what happened because of schools in the area.
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