A witness’s 911 call captured the tense moments after a man allegedly tried to kidnap a 13-year-old girl outside a Florida gas station.
Michael Polanco, 32, was arrested after police said he attempted to abduct the girl Monday in broad daylight at a Shell station in Miramar, about 20 miles from Miami.
Surveillance video allegedly shows Polanco approaching the teenager and grabbing her by the neck before she managed to break free.
A witness called 911 to report the incident, according to audio obtained by NBC6.
“A guy just tried to grab a kid,” the caller told the dispatcher, saying the incident had occurred about two minutes earlier.
The witness said the man, whom police later identified as Polanco, had left the area on a scooter.
According to the local station, the caller spoke with the girl while remaining on the line and provided the dispatcher with information about what had happened.
Court records viewed by Our News Outlet state that Polanco allegedly asked the girl to get scissors from the man who was calling 911, but she did not do so.
Michael Polanco, 32, was arrested after police said he attempted to kidnap a teenage girl in broad daylight at a gas station
Polanco was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with battery causing bodily harm and kidnapping/inflicting bodily harm upon or terrorizing the victim
The girl told police that Polanco grabbed her by the neck and began walking away with her.
A second witness, who worked at a nearby auto shop, told NBC 6 that he saw Polanco grab the child, who appeared close to tears.
The witness said the girl ran into the gas station for help after he shouted at Polanco.
The disturbing surveillance footage allegedly shows Polanco wearing a bright orange bicycle helmet, a blue fanny pack, a tan shirt and dark shorts as he approached the teenager.
He reportedly pointed toward what appeared to be a scooter in the parking lot, then put his arm around the girl’s neck and led her toward another area.
The girl soon appeared to realize something was wrong and pulled away as Polanco allegedly tried to take her.
The teenager ran off as Polanco threw a piece of pink fabric in her direction before fleeing the scene.
Miramar police told Our News Outlet on Thursday that the girl was not injured.
Surveillance footage allegedly showed Polanco approach the girl and grab her neck before she escaped
“The kid fought, broke free, ran into the gas station, made all the noise she could, drew attention to the situation and then people were able to call for help,” Miramar Police Chief Delrish Moss said.
‘Why he came here, I don’t know, but we’re glad he was captured before he was able to do something much more sinister.’
Polanco was arrested shortly after the incident and was charged with battery, causing bodily harm and kidnapping/inflicting bodily harm upon or terrorizing the victim.
A judge denied his bond on Tuesday during a court hearing.
This is not Polanco’s first run-in with the law, as the police department said he has an extensive criminal history.
He’s previously committed robbery, sudden snatching, burglary with assault, trespassing, felony battery, exposure of sexual organs and more.
An attorney for Polanco has not been listed, and his next hearing has not been scheduled.
