Man accused of trying to kidnap child in Orlando arrested, deputies say
ORLANDO, Fla. - Orange County deputies have arrested a man who approached a child Monday morning in Orlando and tried to kidnap him, according to Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Vinh Nguyen, 37, was booked into jail on charges of false imprisonment, luring of a child, and battery.
Deputies said a tip from a concerned citizen who saw surveillance video of the alleged incident led them to Nguyen. Authorities released surveillance video showing the alleged kidnappings attempt to news outlets and on social media Monday afternoon.
"OCSO would like to thank the community and you, our media partners, for your help in getting the word out about this case," the agency said in a statement. Video of Nguyen's arrest was shared on the agency's social media accounts Tuesday afternoon.
That video appeared to show someone walk up to the child, who is wearing a backpack, and then seemingly puts their arms around the child and walks with them out of view. That child was able to safely get away.
According to the arrest affidavit released Tuesday, the boy was on his way to school when Nguyen honked at his from a white vehicle and waved. He then got out of the vehicle and walked up to the child and asked if he wanted a ride to school.
"No, thank you," the child said, according to the report.
The man put his arms around the child's shoulders, pinched his cheek, and told him "how cute he was," according to the report. He then offered to take the kid to school again. The child walked away and told school officials, the report said.
In an interview with deputies after his arrest, Nyugen reportedly said he had seen the boy multiple times and that he "reminded him of his younger brother, who passed away…" the report states. He also reportedly admitted to being the person in the surveillance video.
The report said Nuygen also told deputies multiple times that he "did not know what he did was wrong."
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