A knife-wielding man who allegedly attempted to abduct a child Wednesday in Fairfax County is in police custody.
Kevin Moran-Perez, 22, was arrested shortly after the alleged assault at the Crystal Woods apartment complex in Fairfax County’s Lincolnia neighborhood, where police say the man approached a group of preteens playing outside near an apartment building shortly after they had gotten home from school.
Police say Moran-Perez flashed a knife and grabbed the hand of one girl, but ran away after the girl managed to break free. Officers found the suspect soon after in the same neighborhood. None children were injured during the incident.
Local parents, meanwhile, remain on high alert.
“I have kids of my own and I’m scared that my kids would go out and something like this would happen to them,” Neda Abdurazak, who lives in the neighborhood, told NBC 4. “It’s still scary to know that something like this could happen when all our kids are playing outside all the time. We wouldn’t let our kids — I wouldn’t let my kids go out now. I’d be more cautious.”
Other parents cited a lack of security in the neighborhood’s apartment complexes that must be addressed.
“I will talk to the management as well about ramping up security and putting cameras up,” Asad Khan told ABC 7. “This is not a joke — this is serious. You can’t go out with your kids and take a walk without someone pulling a knife on you? It’s pretty scary, so we have to see what steps management is going to take.”
Moran-Perez, of Centreville, is being held without bond, according to police. He has been charged with assault and possession of a schedule I or II drug.
The incident remains under investigation.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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