San Diego police are investigating a report that a suspect tried to grab a 6-year-old girl at the Mission Valley mall on Tuesday afternoon.
The girl, pushing a stroller with her 8-month-old brother inside, was walking behind her mother in front of Buffalo Wild Wings at about 1:45 p.m. when the male suspect came up behind her, grabbed her by the shoulders, picked her up and walked 4-5 feet, according to the San Diego Police Department.
She cried out, prompting her mother to turn around and confront the suspect, who said he believed the girl was someone else before he walked away and drove off, police said.
The mother and her daughter then went to speak with security at the nearby Target store, where the mother called 911, according to SDPD Lt. Bryan Brecht.
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Police described the suspect as a man in his 30s-40s, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 150 pounds, with shoulder-length, slicked-back black hair. He was wearing a mint green shirt and gray pants, according to camera evidence and witness statements obtained by SDPD.
David Doyle, General Manager for the Mission Valley Mall, said their security team was alerted to the incident and is working with San Diego police, which are leading the investigation.
"Because we take the safety and security of our shoppers, tenants and employees very seriously, the center’s management and security teams are working closely with local law enforcement authorities to aid in their investigation of the incident," Doyle said in a written statement.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information arrives.
