MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Newly released surveillance video from a Miami Beach CVS showed the moments when a stranger attempted to snatch a child, leading to the man’s arrest.
The incident happened at the CVS located at 7400 Collins Ave., at around 11:55 a.m., Thursday.
The suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Nicolas Metternich Sternaman, is seen entering the pharmacy and immediately grabbing the boy, who was heading toward the exit with his father, and turned for the door.
The arrest report states Sternaman “violently grabbed the child by his neck from behind, lifted the child off the ground.”
As soon as the suspect took the child, the child’s father grabbed the man and a struggle ensued.
The arrest report states, “The victim’s father, in fear of his child being abducted, immediately grabbed the defendant, and the defendant let the child off of his grasp.”
The boy’s father was able to fight off the predator, and his son was pulled to safety.
Eventually, the man broke free and fled the scene.
According to Miami Beach Police, the child’s father ran after the man.
The arrest report states, “[Officers] responded to the area and observed the witnesses and the suspect running. The defendant was then taken into custody without incident.”
A 7News crew showed the surveillance video to passers-by Olivia Nguyn and her mother after they saw the news cameras on Collins Avenue. They were on a stroll close to the CVS.
“Oh, my God, that was insane,” said Nguyn. “I can’t believe that happened, like, literally right there. In the daylight, yeah. Luckily, his dad was there.”
The arrest report states, “[The child] sustained redness in his face and his back. The child was visibly shaking and would not let go of his mother’s grasp in fear.”
Sternaman has been charged with kidnapping and battery. Police said he invoked his rights and did not give them any kind of statement when he was placed under arrest.
He is being held on a $1,000 bond, but no bond has been set yet on the kidnapping charge.
The suspect was set to appear before a judge on Friday but refused to appear in the morning and in the afternoon.
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