Man arrested after allegedly attempting to kidnap 9-year-old from Harry Potter ride at Universal

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - A 23-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attempting to kidnap a 9-year-old girl from a Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studios.

An arrest affidavit from the Orlando Police Department states that on Sunday, at approximately 3:45 p.m., police responded to the Hogwarts Express attraction in reference to an attempted kidnapping.

Upon arrival, police met with the suspect, 23-year-old Jason Mikel, a witness, the 9-year-old victim, and the victim's mother. Statements were collected from all four. 

The victim reportedly told police that she was in the locker area of the Forbidden Journey attraction when a man touched her on her shoulders and told her to go outside. The suspect told her that her mother was outside. She got scared and was able to get away from him and return to her mother.

The affidavit goes on to say that the witness did indeed see a man with his hands on the shoulders of the victim. She overheard the male tell the victim that "mommy was over here." The victim was said to have looked scared and unassociated with the male. 

The witness reportedly went on to tell police that the victim "broke free from him and ran over to her mom." The witness then checked with the victim's mother, who denied knowing the male.

Police say that the mother said that her child ran to her very scared and stated that someone tried to grab her. The mother said she did not give anyone permission to touch her daughter or remove her from her. She wants to press charges.

The witness did report the male to Universal staff, at which the suspect ran off.  Universal employees were said to have followed the male and detained him at the Hogwarts Express attraction. This is where police say they met with the suspect and informed him that he was accused of touching a child and was not free to leave.

A show-up was then conducted with the witness and the suspect, the affidavit states. The witness positively identified Mikel as as the male who touched and attempted to remove the victim. 

Based on the statements provide, police said that probable cause exists to charge Mikel with attempted kidnapping and battery. He was arrested. A search incident to arrest revealed that Mikel had cannabis on him. He was given an additional charge of possession of cannabis. 

Mikel was reportedly transported without incident. He has been issued a trespass warning with an indefinite expiration date for all of the Universal Studios properties.