UNIONDALE, Long Island (WABC) — A man on Long Island is under arrest and accused of trying to kidnap an 11-year-old boy in Uniondale.
Police say 51-year-old Nelson Acevedo offered the boy money and tried to grab him when he tried to walk away on Tuesday afternoon.
It happened just after 4 p.m. near the intersection of Chester and Front streets.
According to court documents, Acevedo was saying to the victim “mommy mommy” and started blowing kisses and showed the victim $100.
Acevedo then allegedly said, “I will give you $100 if you come inside the house.”
According to law enforcement, the boy refused and tried to walk away. They say Acevedo then grabbed the child’s wrist, but the victim was able to pull his arm away and walk away.
He was not injured, but police say the child feared for his safety. He told his parents who called 911.
Police arrested Acevedo on Wednesday afternoon on charges of attempted kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child.
During his police interview, he stated, “I was walking in front of the blue house when I was walking by a young boy, I said hello to the young boy, then he said bye to me and kept on walking,” according to court documents.
The police commissioner described how the young boy did exactly the right thing in a scary situation that happened near a school.
“They should all take an example, don’t stop, don’t communicate, walk in pairs, stay together, as soon as someone tries to confront you, take off, run to the nearest person you see that is an adult and hopefully that will work out well,” Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.
A stay away order of protection is now in effect and bail was set at $250,000 cash, $625,000 bond.
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