NYC Man Snatches Child Off The Sidewalk, Parents Chase Him Down [WATCH]

A 6-year-old boy was nearly abducted Sunday night in Coney Island when a man grabbed him from a crowded sidewalk and attempted to flee, only to release the child when the boy’s parents gave chase, according to law enforcement and eyewitnesses.

The incident occurred just before 10 p.m. near the intersection of Stillwell and Surf avenues.

According to police, the 36-year-old male suspect, dressed entirely in black and wearing an unusually tall hat, picked up the child without warning as the boy briefly trailed behind his parents.

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Witness Nora Smiles, who owns a nearby sneaker shop and is known locally as “The Sneaker Lady,” told Freedomnews TV that she witnessed the suspect targeting the child moments before the abduction attempt.

“So a man came and he was trying to cut him off, then the little boy was trying to spin off of him,” Smiles said.

“The man just grabbed him up and started running with the little boy.”

The boy immediately began screaming for help and calling for his mother, prompting both parents to rush after the man.

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Surveillance footage obtained by Freedomnews TV captured the suspect holding the child in one arm as he attempted to flee down the street.

Once he noticed the parents closing in, he dropped the child onto the sidewalk and sprinted away.

“The parents just chased after the guy and they caught him,” Smiles added.

The video shows the parents pursuing the man into the street, weaving through traffic as they tried to stop him.

Police officers stationed nearby quickly joined the pursuit.

According to NYPD sources, the suspect was apprehended shortly after and taken into custody.

“It was just shocking,” Smiles said.

“I’m a mother myself so I ran over — we all ran over to see what happened.”

The child, who lives with his family in Queens, complained of minor pain following the incident.

He was transported to Coney Island Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

No further details about the suspect’s identity or possible motive were released by police.

Authorities are continuing their investigation and reviewing all available video evidence from the scene.

This attempted kidnapping in one of New York City’s busiest summer tourist destinations has raised concerns about street safety and parental vigilance.

The NYPD has not indicated whether the suspect has a history of similar incidents or if he is known to law enforcement.

Anyone with additional information related to the case is urged to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers.

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