Man accused of trying to abduct girl from Miami apartment complex
MIAMI - A man accused of trying to abduct a 6-year-old girl from a Miami apartment complex has been arrested.
According to police, the girl was playing on July 6 with her siblings in the courtyard of the complex at 6530 NE 2nd Avenue. As the other kids went inside, the girl noticed a newer model SUV parked near her apartment as she sat on the rear stairway.
The brave little girl told CBS News Miami how she bravely fought back against her would-be kidnapper.
"There was a kidnapper walking to the back where I was sitting," A'hylric. said "He pulled me. He picked me up. He started running with me."
She told police she was suddenly grabbed by the arm by a man, who they later identified as Leonardo Venegas, and pulled toward the rear of the stairs.
"She's really brave," said the girl's mother, Teshia McGill. "She fought him off."
"Then I bit him," said A'hlyric. "Then he slapped me. And threw me on the floor."
"Thankful that that 6-year-old little girl had a great memory," said Miami Police Officer Kiara Delva. "She was able to give a great description of the suspect involved, which helped our tactical robbery detectives to locate the vehicle. Very brave, she fought for her safety."
Venegas, 32, reportedly ran toward the front of the apartment complex after the alleged attack. A'hlyric escaped, ran inside, and told her mom's spouse. Then they called the police. Venegas was arrested two days later and remains behind bars.
Delva shares advice if you or a loved one are in a situation like the A'hlyric faced.
"Run away as far as you can and even scream," said Delva. "If you feel like your life is in danger and immediately notify a parent, do not engage in any sort of conversation."
A'hlyric did just that.
"Scream," said A'hlyric. "And get away. Or try to do something. Or anything to try to get away from him."
"Do not talk to strangers," said McGill. "And if you have to defend yourself, defend yourself."
In reviewing surveillance video, investigators saw a white Range Rover pull into the complex and park in the area that the girl described.
Investigators said soon after, the driver is seen walking to the staircase where the girl was. Moments later, they said, he can be seen running back to the vehicle and driving off.
Using more surveillance video, investigators spotted it driving north on Biscayne Boulevard. At one point, it passed a license plate reader and they were able to obtain its tag which came back to Venegas.
A tactical robbery unit spotted the vehicle on July 8th in the 400 block of NW 2nd Avenue and Venegas was taken into custody.
He's been charged with kidnapping and child abuse.