Chilling moment man tries to abduct 4-year-old boy from Walmart

A disturbing surveillance video shows the moment a man allegedly tried to kidnap a 4-year-old boy at a Florida Walmart – but the suspect’s wife claimed he was just “joking.”

The footage recorded Friday at the store in Lehigh Acres shows the alleged would-be kidnapper, later identified as Pablo Pintueles Hernandez, 64, walking up to the tot, who was shopping with his family, and grabbing him by the wrist.

Hernandez allegedly told the child “let’s go,” before trying to lead him away, but the boy’s relatives quickly intervened and got him away from the suspect, authorities said.

Hernandez, who was with his wife, then stalked off to finish his shopping and then left the store.

“Deputies tirelessly worked alongside our Real Time Intelligence Center Analysts to identify the suspect,” the Lee County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Together, analysts and deputies utilized advanced technology to quickly identify and locate Pintueles Hernandez.”

Within an hour of the thwarted kidnapping, deputies arrived at Hernandez’s home and arrested him on a charge of false imprisonment of a child 13 years old and under.

news, arrests, florida, kidnappings, surveillance, walmart, chilling moment man tries to abduct 4-year-old boy from walmart
3

A screenshot from a surveillance video recorded at the Leigh Acres, Florida, Walmart, on Dec. 29 shows Pablo Pintueles Hernandez grabbing a 4-year-old boy by the wrist. Lee County Sheriff's Office

“What this criminal did is incredibly disturbing,” stated Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “I never want anyone in Lee County to feel unsafe, especially going on a simple shopping trip.”

“My team will stop at NOTHING to ensure criminals like this face the consequences of their actions,” he added.

According to an arrest report obtained by The Post, the 4-year-old was at the Walmart with his mother and two sisters when Hernandez approached him and grabbed his wrist.

news, arrests, florida, kidnappings, surveillance, walmart, chilling moment man tries to abduct 4-year-old boy from walmart
3

Hernandez was shopping at the Walmart with his wife and left after the thwarted alleged kidnapping. Lee County Sheriff's Office

It was one of the boy’s sisters who stepped in and led her brother away from the suspect. She later told cops she felt “scared” for the tot’s safety.

Hernandez’s wife, Odalis Vaillant Leyva, who was with him, told deputies that her husband is “outgoing and frequently jokes with children, calling them ‘Papito.’ Leyva has warned her husband against these interactions because other people do not interpret the interactions the same way he dies,” the report stated.

When interviewed by a deputy, Hernandez allegedly confirmed that he grabbed the child’s wrist and the boy started to walk away with him, before his sister “got upset and grabbed the boy’s other arm,” the report read.

news, arrests, florida, kidnappings, surveillance, walmart, chilling moment man tries to abduct 4-year-old boy from walmart
3

The 64-year-old was tracked down by sheriff’s deputies within an hour of the incident. Lee County Sheriff's Office

Leyva told the boy’s sister that her husband “was joking,” before the pair walked away.

“Hernandez explained this is part of his personality; he likes interacting with children and has done similar things on prior occasions,” the report said. “Hernandez stated he had no intention of leaving with the child.”

Hernandez was released from jail on New Year’s Eve, after posting a $100,000 bond. He is due back in court on Jan. 29.

News Related

OTHER NEWS

Man held for offering $1.4m bounty to assassinate Malaysia’s PM Anwar and Cabinet

KUALA LUMPUR – A 34-year-old man has been detained for threatening Malaysia’s Prime Minister via social media. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the man was detained on ... Read more »

Pig hunters deny drug trafficking theory on missing man

A member of a pig hunting group that was in remote Queensland when Jeremiah Rivers went missing has denied trafficking cannabis, in testimony given by video as there is a ... Read more »

Dutton gives Christmas 'gift' of running Lego gauntlet

Christmas is a time for giving, and for Peter Dutton that means sharing one of life's most excruciating pains. The opposition leader is donating some of his much-loved Lego to ... Read more »

Lawsuit seeks $16 million against Maryland county over death of pet dog shot by police

A department investigator accused two of the officers of “conduct unbecoming an officer” for entering the apartment without a warrant, but the third officer was cleared of wrongdoing, the suit says. Read more »

Heidi Klum shares rare photo of all 4 of her and Seal's kids

Heidi Klum posted a rare picture with husband Tom Kaulitz and her four kids: Leni, 19, Henry, 18, Johan, 17, and Lou, 14, having some quality family time. Read more »

European stocks head for flat open as markets struggle to find momentum

This is CNBC’s live blog covering European markets. European markets are heading for a flat open Tuesday, continuing lackluster sentiment seen at the start of the week in the region ... Read more »

How Qatar mediators helped save shaky Israel-Hamas truce

The deal seemed on the verge of unravelling. Hamas had accused Israel of failing to keep its side of the bargain and Israel was threatening to resume its lethal onslaught ... Read more »
Top List in the World