A Man Grabbed a 13-Year-Old. A Bystander Helped Her Escape, Police Say

A bystander’s shout helped a 13-year-old girl break free after a man grabbed her outside a Florida gas station, police say. She ran inside the business and drew attention to what had happened.

Michael Polanco, 32, was arrested in Miramar this week and faces kidnapping and battery charges. Surveillance coverage released afterward shows the encounter and the girl’s escape, according to WSVN’s reporting of the police account.

The girl has not been publicly identified.

The Encounter Outside the Store

The teenager was walking home near a gas station on South State Road 7 when the man approached, according to WSVN. Police said he began engaging her before putting an arm around her and attempting to lead her away.

The video shows the man alongside the girl and then holding her around the upper body and neck, the station reported. Police describe the conduct as an attempted abduction.

A witness who did not want to be identified told WSVN that he yelled at the man. Police say that intervention helped the girl break free.

She ran into the gas station. Police Chief Delrish Moss said she made noise and attracted attention, allowing other people to call for help.

Officers Found a Suspect Nearby

Police said the man left the immediate area. Officers then received information about another disturbance nearby and located Polanco.

The girl and a witness identified him as the man involved at the gas station, police said. He was taken into custody and transported to Broward County’s main jail.

Polanco faces charges of kidnapping involving bodily harm or terrorizing the victim, along with battery causing bodily harm, according to WSVN’s account of the arrest report. He has not been convicted in this case.

The Court Appearance

At Tuesday’s court appearance, Judge Allison Gilman ordered Polanco held without bond, barred contact with the victim or minors and prohibited firearms or weapons, WSVN reported. She also ordered a mental-health screening and barred him from returning to the gas station.

References: Surveillance footage captures suspect’s failed attempt to kidnap 13-year-old girl at Miramar gas station, police say | Man arrested after allegedly trying to kidnap girl at Miramar gas station, police say | Man Accused of Attempting to Kidnap 13-Year-Old at Gas Station

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