SAN BERNARDINO – A kidnapping suspect is awaiting a Thursday morning court appearance after being arrested last week trying to take a baby.
Witnesses and Good Samaritans helped track down Edgar Valdez, 35, a likely resident of San Bernardino, after he tried to abduct a child from a babysitter on May 17.
San Bernardino Police reacted to a call at 1450 North D St. A young female, the child’s babysitter, had just taken the child from a car, putting the child into a stroller shortly after 9:30 a.m.
When the victim turned, she saw Valdez coming at her. The babysitter attempted to run into the business, holding on to the stroller. Valdez, however, grabbed into the stroller before the babysitter could enter the building.
Police said the babysitter “was determined to protect the child and refused to let go of the stroller despite the attack.”
There was a short struggle, said police, with Valdez forcibly pushing the babysitter onto the ground, “but still could not release the stroller from her grip.”
The suspect fled into the rear of the building where he reportedly changed clothes in an attempt to hide his identity.
When a group of witnesses, along with Good Samaritans, spotted him, they tailed him where a local security guard was able to detain him until police arrived. They took him into custody.
The female babysitter and baby were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, having suffered minor cuts and bruises.
Valdez was taken to West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, booked for attempted kidnapping, cruelty to a child and child endangerment. He is due in San Bernardino Superior Court on another charge.
Bail was set at $50,000 for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
