Dramatic surveillance footage shows the terrifying moment an 18-month-old girl was seized by a man inside a supermarket in Bergamo, triggering a frantic struggle with her parents.
The incident unfolded at the Uscita supermarket as the family was exiting through automatic doors. A 47-year-old homeless Romanian man lunged toward the child as he entered the store.
Video captures the suspect, dressed in a dark hoodie and green trousers, grabbing the toddler. In seconds, the child was caught in a tug-of-war, pulled in opposite directions as her mother desperately held on while the man continued to yank at her.
The girl’s father, identified in Italian media as Matteo, immediately abandoned the shopping trolley he was pushing and rushed to intervene.
Bystanders quickly stepped in to help free the child, while security guards restrained the suspect until police arrived.
The man was arrested at the scene by Italian authorities and has since been charged with aggravated kidnapping of a minor under 14 and aggravated assault. He remains in custody pending further investigation.
The toddler was taken to hospital following the incident and treated for her injuries. She has since been discharged and is recovering at home with her family.
“A survival instinct kicked in,” Matteo told Italian television. “To see your daughter in danger is dreadful. The reaction was immediate. You don’t think, you just act.”
Police said the motive behind the alleged attempted abduction remains unclear. After authorities released the CCTV footage, it sparked widespread reaction online, with many expressing shock and support for the family.