VIDEO: Man tries to drag 13-year-old girl away from mom in attempted kidnapping

Marc Brown Image
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
13-year-old girl dragged by suspect in attempted abduction
Dramatic surveillance video from Florida shows a mother fighting like a tiger when a man suddenly grabs her daughter and tries to drag her away in a frightening attempted abduction.

HERNANDO, Fla. (KABC) -- Dramatic surveillance video from Florida shows a mother fighting like a tiger when a man suddenly grabs her daughter and tries to drag her away.

The incident took place at a Dollar General store in Hernando in Citrus County shortly before noon Tuesday.

The disturbing video shows a man, later identified by sheriff's officials as 30-year-old Craig Bonello, walking around an aisle before grabbing a 13-year-old girl, who was shopping with her mother.

The child's fast-moving mother is on him in a second. Bonello tries to drag the girl from the store, but her mother refuses to let go, which leads to an intense tug-of-war situation.

Bonello eventually lets go of the girl, runs from the store and gets into his car. However, Deputy Jonathan Behnen, who was off-duty at the time, pulled his patrol car in front of Bonello's vehicle as the suspect tried to leave the parking lot.

The deputy ordered Bonello out of the vehicle and arrested him. He is now facing kidnapping and child abuse charges.

Sheriff's officials said Bonello has been arrested several times for trespassing, other misdemeanors as well as aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer back in 2009.

The mother and her young daughter suffered some scrapes and bruises but will be OK.

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office is calling the mother and Behnen both heroes.