STAFFORD, Va. (WWBT) - Police in Stafford County have arrested a man they say tried to kidnap a young girl.
The child is just 9 years old.
The sheriff’s office said the attempted abduction happened shortly before 3 p.m. on Friday on Basswood Drive in Embrey Mill.
Witnesses say the man grabbed the girl and took her to a vehicle, but she was about to get out and run away, deputies said.
Investigators identified the suspect and an arrest warrant was obtained for 34-year-old Steven Williams.
Police say the SWAT team went to serve the warrant but Williams refused to exit his home.
After nearly five hours, a K9 entered the home and found the suspect.
Abduction Suspect Arrested
As a deputy sheriff and a parent, the abduction of a child is one of the most terrifying calls we respond to. This afternoon at 2:50 p.m. deputies responded to Embrey Mill subdivision for an attempted abduction of a child.
The initial investigation revealed a nine-year-old girl was walking home from a bus stop on Embrey Mill Road when she was approached by a stranger asking her for directions. He then grabbed the young girl and carried her to his car and put her in the passenger seat. As the suspect went around the car to the driver’s side, the brave young girl was able to open the passenger door and escape.
A call like this is all hands on deck. Dispatchers took in your leads, while deputies and detectives followed up on the street gathering evidence. Thank you for all the information you provided. Together we are sending a strong message that crime like this will not be tolerated in Stafford County.
As a result of the investigation, a suspect was identified. An arrest warrant for abduction was obtained for Steven Randall Williams, 34, of Stafford. The SWAT Team attempted to serve the warrant at his address on Owen Street in Eastern View subdivision just before 9:00 p.m. on the 28th.
Williams refused to exit the home. SWAT held the perimeter while the Drone Team flew a drone through the home. The Crisis Negotiation Team attempted to communicate with Williams, but he would not respond. Chemical munitions were deployed, but Williams still refused to exit.
Finally, after nearly five hours, K-9 Titan was deployed into the home and located Williams. He was taken into custody without incident. He will be headed to the magistrate for a bond hearing and we will update the post later with a booking photo.
Posted by Office of Stafford County Sheriff on Friday, January 28, 2022
Williams remains in police custody awaiting a bond hearing.
Anyone with information on the attempted kidnapping is asked to call 540-658-4400.
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