Surveillance footage shows a man violently grabbing a 1-year-old from her mother at the entrance of an Esselunga supermarket in Bergamo on Feb. 14. Shoppers intervened and police arrested the suspect at the scene. The child was hospitalized with a fractured femur, and the suspect faces charges of attempted aggravated kidnapping and aggravated bodily harm. Authorities are investigating based on witness statements and the released footage.
Shocking Attempted Kidnapping Caught on Camera: Man Grabs 1-Year-Old at Supermarket Entrance in Bergamo
Stock image of a supermarketgetty
Surveillance footage released by the Italian State Police shows a violent attempt to abduct a 1-year-old girl from her mother's arms at the entrance of an Esselunga supermarket inside a shopping mall in Bergamo, northern Italy, on Feb. 14.
The video opens as a mother and toddler exit the store. As they pass through the automatic doors, a man suddenly grabs the child. The mother clings tightly to her daughter and fights to prevent the abduction.
Shoppers both inside and outside the store quickly noticed the struggle and rushed over to help. Several bystanders intervened while the suspect aggressively tried to pull the toddler away.
Police arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect, the Italian State Police said. Authorities launched an investigation based on witness statements and the released footage.
The man has been charged with attempted aggravated kidnapping — an elevated count because the alleged victim is a minor — and aggravated bodily harm. The toddler was taken to hospital, where medical staff found she had suffered a fractured femur.
The footage was released by investigators as part of the inquiry. PEOPLE reached out to the Italian State Police for comment.
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