A 39-year-old man has been charged after he allegedly tried to abduct a young girl outside a store in Scarborough.
Police were called to a plaza near Warden and Eglinton avenues just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Police say a mother was shopping with her three children when a man approached her four-year-old daughter in the store and tried to have a conversation with her.
The girl screamed and ran away to her mother, who then confronted the man.
The man then went into the parking lot and was seen pacing.
The woman notified store security, who then called police.
As security was escorting the woman and her children to their car, the man ran up and tried to grab the girl from her mother’s arms, police said.
After a brief struggle, the man ran away. Police were nearby and were able to arrest a suspect in the parking lot.
Tyrone Bartley, 39, of Pickering, has been charged with abducting a person under 14 years old, assault and mischief under $5,000.
He was scheduled to make a court appearance Thursday morning.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact 41 Division police at 416-808-4100. Anonymous tips can be provided through Crime Stoppers at www.222tips.com or 416-222-8477.
Agencies/Canadajournal
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