In a chilling incident that unfolded in broad daylight, a Florida man attempted to abduct a 4-year-old boy from his family inside a Miami Beach CVS. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Nicholas Sternman, was apprehended thanks to the swift actions of a tourist who witnessed the harrowing ordeal.
The incident occurred on February 8th, as the young boy and his family were shopping at a CVS pharmacy. Devin Saraja Paal, a tourist visiting from Tampa, was about to enter the store when he noticed Sternman acting suspiciously on the sidewalk.
“I saw the guy walking up on the sidewalk…he was looking so crazy,” Paal recounted.
Moments later, chaos erupted inside the CVS. Sternman had entered the store and brazenly grabbed the 4-year-old boy, attempting to flee with the child. The boy’s mother screamed for help, desperately clinging to her son as Sternman tried to pull him away.
Security camera footage shows Sternman grabbing the child inside the CVS
“It was happening like they’re fighting in right there like he tried to snatch the child, bro,” Paal said. “I have five kids, so this is like a…I just felt his pain, like you know, like everybody was just looking around like, ‘Bro, this guy’s about to get away.'”
Without hesitation, Paal sprang into action. He chased after Sternman, who was now running down the street with the child.
“Me being me, I just went outside and I seen him. I was like, ‘Bro, this guy can’t get away. No hell no,'” Paal stated. He immediately called 911 and provided the dispatcher with real-time updates on their location.
As the chase continued, Sternman became increasingly desperate. He attempted to grab other people on the sidewalk, even trying to pull a woman into his grasp. However, Paal’s relentless pursuit and communication with the police prevented Sternman from escaping.
Bodycam footage shows the moment Sternman was apprehended by police
Soon, police sirens wailed in the distance. Officers arrived at the scene and quickly apprehended Sternman, pinning him to the ground. Body camera footage captured the intense arrest, with officers ordering Sternman to comply.
“Get on the floor! Get on the floor!” an officer yelled as he approached Sternman. The suspect was handcuffed and taken into custody.
Paramedics arrived to assess the 4-year-old boy, who, thankfully, was physically unharmed. The boy’s parents were shaken but relieved that their son was safe.
Sternman, who initially gave officers a false last name, was uncooperative during the arrest and booking process. He resisted getting into the squad car and was unclear about consenting to a DNA swab.
Nicholas Sternman is currently being held without bond. He faces charges of aggravated kidnapping of a child under the age of 13 and battery.
This terrifying incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and quick thinking, especially when it comes to the safety of children. Devin Saraja Paal’s heroic actions undoubtedly saved the young boy from a potentially horrific fate.
