Bend, Ore. – A 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping Monday night after he allegedly followed a 2-year-old around a Bend Walmart and tried to leave with him, according to police.
Bend NBC affiliate KTVZ reports Bend police responded to the Walmart on Pinebrook Boulevard after they received a report of an attempted abduction.
Witnesses told police a man, later identified as La Pine resident Dennis Wayne Anderson Jr., followed and mirrored the actions of a small child who wandered away from his mother.
Police said Anderson talked with the boy then began walking with him toward an exit. When the boy’s mother realized he was missing, she called for him and the boy returned. Anderson then left the store.
Officers who viewed security footage of the incident recognized Anderson and knew where he lived. He was later arrested and jailed on a charge of second-degree attempted kidnapping.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and will release more information as it becomes available.
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