Shocking surveillance footage has captured the moment a man allegedly tried to kidnap a one-year-old girl outside an Esselunga store in Bergamo on February 14.
The video shows the child’s mother exiting the supermarket when a man suddenly lunges at her and attempts to snatch the toddler from her arms. Though initially startled, the mother managed to hold on to her daughter and resisted the attacker.
Swift intervention prevents tragedy
Nearby shoppers, including the child’s father and supermarket security personnel, quickly intervened after noticing the struggle. They restrained the suspect until officers from the Italian State Police arrived at the scene.
In a statement, police said the mother’s resistance was crucial in preventing a potential kidnapping. “The woman’s resistance prevented the worst from happening until her father, the security guards and bystanders stopped the attacker until police arrived,” authorities said.
Charges filed, child hospitalised
The suspect, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, has been charged with attempted aggravated kidnapping — aggravated because the alleged victim was a minor — and aggravated bodily harm.
Following the incident, the toddler was taken to hospital, where doctors confirmed she had suffered a fractured femur.
Police said further investigations, including witness statements and analysis of surveillance footage, led judicial authorities to formalise the charges.
Similar case reported in Delhi
In a separate incident in India, a three-day-old baby boy was abducted from Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini, Delhi, on February 17. According to Delhi Police, the infant was traced and rescued within hours, and two individuals, including a woman, were arrested in connection with the case.
Authorities in both cases have urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity around children in public places.