A Nova Scotia teen is facing charges after a little boy was allegedly lured away from his mother and into the bathroom of a Halifax grocery store Wednesday afternoon.
Police say the 19-year-old Sackville man has been charged with abduction of a person under the age of 14 and sexual assault in connection with the case.
Police released a photo of a suspect Thursday in an attempt to identify him and they say tips from the public quickly poured in.
“As a result of tips from the public, investigators were able to learn the man’s identity and arrested him without incident at 9:27 a.m. this morning,” confirms Halifax Regional Police Const. Brian Palmeter.
The arrest and subsequent charges come after investigators were called to the Superstore on Joseph Howe Drive around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
They say a man approached a four-year-old boy in the store and took him to an upstairs bathroom. The boy was reported missing shortly after and staff began to search for him, monitoring all the exits to the store.
Investigators say the suspect left the bathroom with the child, walked downstairs and out the door, leaving the child behind in the store.
Police believe the man may have intended to leave the store with the child, but was scared off by the staff positioned at the front doors.
The boy was found and returned to his parents.
“Anytime a stranger approaches a child, takes them from that area and to an isolated area, it’s very concerning and we’re treating it as such,” says Palmeter.
The suspect was arrested this morning and brought in for questioning which resulted in charges being laid.
He is due to appear in Halifax provincial court Monday to answer to the charges.
