Disturbing surveillance footage captures the moment a man allegedly attempted to kidnap a 13-year-old girl outside a gas station in Miramar, Florida, after asking her to “give him some kisses.”
The teenager was approached on Monday by a stranger wearing a bright orange bicycle helmet, who allegedly wrapped his arm around her shoulders and attempted to lead her away.
The girl managed to duck out from under his arm and escape. Footage obtained by NBC6 shows the suspect throwing a bright pink headband after her as she fled, prompting her to briefly stop and retrieve it.
Police have arrested a 32-year-old convicted offender accused of attempting to kidnap a 13-year-old girl outside a gas station in Miramar, Florida, on Monday.
The suspect, identified as Michael Polanco, was reportedly wearing a brightly colored bicycle helmet when he approached the teenager and allegedly tried to lead her away. The visibly shaken girl managed to escape and rushed into the gas station for help.
According to a police report obtained by the Miami Herald, a witness said the suspect made “provocative sexual and explicit comments” toward the child.
Dispatch audio obtained by WSVN also revealed that the suspect allegedly told the girl “to give him some kisses.”
Polanco, who has a criminal record that includes indecent exposure, was arrested late Monday after officers responded to a separate disturbance, NBC6 reported.
He now faces charges related to the alleged kidnapping attempt, bodily harm and terrorizing the teenager.
“We’re glad he was captured before he was able to do something much more sinister,” Miramar Police Chief Delrish Moss said, describing the incident as “deeply disturbing.”
Polanco now faces charges of causing bodily harm and kidnapping.
Polanco, who has prior convictions for robbery and trespassing, was denied bond during a court appearance Tuesday.
The judge also prohibited him from possessing firearms and ordered him to stay away from the gas station where the alleged kidnapping attempt occurred.
