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Man caught on camera allegedly trying to kidnap child at Box Elder County store

Posted at 10:39 AM, Nov 26, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-27 00:03:39-05

PERRY, Utah - Box Elder County officials are questioning a man after he was caught on surveillance cameras allegedly trying to kidnap a child at a local Wal-Mart Wednesday.

Authorities said a woman called police after she said a man tried to kidnap her 3-year-old grandchild in a shopping cart at the Perry Wal-Mart. Attempted kidnapping Walmart Perry

In the surveillance video, you can see a man walking down the aisle towards the family.

He holds a finger to his lips, appearing to signal to the children to stay quiet, and grabs the shopping cart.

The 14-year-old granddaughter saw the man and grabbed onto the cart as well, getting her grandmother's attention.

The grandmother appears to talk to the man and then both go their separate ways.

Officers said the grandmother didn't fully understand what had happened until the family got home and the teen granddaughter explained the incident; the woman didn't see the man grab the cart.

The suspect later saw himself on the news and contacted police.

Officers questioned the man and released him; however, authorities are still investigating the incident.

The man has not been charged with a crime at this point but that could change during the course of the investigation.

Authorities said the man was in the store for about four hours Wednesday but the video doesn't show him engaging in any other suspicious activity.

Rocky Loveland lives in Brigham City, and he said it appears like incidents like this one are becoming more common in Box Elder County.

"We've had numerous reports of people trying to pick up kids from school, and it's kind of getting out of control around here," he said.

Adasa Cox of Brigham City said the incident is a reminder to be more aware.

"Sometimes we forget that there's dangers outside of our little bubble, and we get too complacent," she said.