Cornelius, OR – A man attempted to kidnap a child from a stroller at a Walmart in Cornelius. The incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on December 21.
The child’s father intervened during the attempted kidnapping, engaging in a struggle with the suspect. During the altercation, the suspect displayed a knife but dropped it before fleeing the scene in a white Jeep.
Witnesses recorded the vehicle’s license plate, enabling deputies to locate it a short distance away. The vehicle’s owner, 37-year-old Denis Villalobos, was taken into custody.
Villalobos faces charges for attempted kidnapping, assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing. Surveillance footage captured the incident and its preceding moments.
Washington County Sheriff’s Cpl. David Huey reported that the suspect appeared to be watching the child prior to the attempt.
Villalobos is currently held at the Washington County Jail and is scheduled for a court appearance on Monday.