WATCH IT: Brave dad fights off man accused of attempting to kidnap child from Miami Beach store
MIAMI - A man is facing serious charges after Miami Beach police say he attempted to kidnap a child right in front of his parents as they were leaving a store.
It happened Thursday just before noon at a CVS Pharmacy located in the 7400 block of Collins Avenue.
The child's dad would not and did not let it happen. Store surveillance cameras caught the brave dad quickly jumping on the man as he attempted to snatch the minor right in front of his family.
"Everyone was just shocked because it was so quick and it was so fast. The guy just came out of nowhere," said witness Zachary Jefferson.
"I'm like screaming at the guy like stop, stop. Then I see her purse fall and I know she has important things in her purse. So I grabbed it and gave it to her. And I'm like somebody call the cops! Like please."
The suspect was identified as Nicolas Sternaman, 26, a Miami Beach resident.
The arrest report said Sternaman entered the store as the 4-year-old child was attempting to leave with his mom and dad.
Police said Sternaman positioned himself behind them, violently grabbed the child by his neck from behind, and lifted the minor off the ground.
The child's dad is then seen jumping into action, tackling Sternaman. That caused him to release the minor who fell to the ground on his back.
The physical altercation continued until Sternaman became free, leaving his jacket on the ground.
Sternaman then exited the store and ran southbound on Collins Avenue followed by a witness and the dad.
A police officer who had responded to the area says he saw the men running behind Sternaman.
Sternaman was taken into custody without incident. Police said he invoked his rights and refused to provide a statement.
The arrest report says the minor was visibly shaking and would not let go of his mother's grasp in fear.
"I was just standing at the register and paying for my items and I look to the left, I mean the right and there was a guy just fighting another guy. And I thought it was someone trying to take the lady's purse," said Jefferson.
Sternaman is facing several charges, including battery, kidnapping and aggravated child abuse.
He was transported to TGK.
People who live in the area, like Vanessa Rodriguez, are shocked to hear of the attempted kidnapping.
"It's good to know these things when they happen or in time that they happen. But it makes me be a little more alert. A little bit more cautious than ever before."