PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Port Arthur police are issuing a warning a tense encounter between a mom and a man at a Port Arthur store.
A Nederland mom and her 9-year-old daughter were leaving the store on Saturday evening when they were approached by a suspicious man.
The mother, Kandy, told 12News that she believes this stranger intended to snatch her daughter and that she wasn't the only mother being followed that day.
She wants to share her story to make sure other parents are prepared to act.
"I noticed there were two ladies and a small child in the checkout in front of us looking back. She looked very concerned and scared," said Kandy.
Video shows the man, who is accused of following Kandy and her daughter.
"I noticed he had a backpack, he was tall, he had like nothing in his hands at first," she said.
Kandy and her daughter had finished checking out when she saw the mom in front of her get escorted to her car by target security, according to Kandy.
Next, the unthinkable happened.
"He was there, like on top of me. I felt like he was attempting to grab my daughter from behind. And I just instinct just shoved her over," Kandy said.
She said the man just stared as she yelled 'Where are you going?' at him.
"I started moving to the left. I started yelling. 'You need to get away from us. Please.' He did not move," Kandy told 12News.
Luckily, this is when an off duty officer stepped in to help.
Port Arthur police said that no arrest was made because the man actually has to touch someone before they can put him in cuffs.
“We intercept the act before it actually occurs. And I think in this case because she was so vigilant about being followed. She stopped it from the very beginning. That when we got there it was him following her around," said Port Arthur Chief of Police Timothy Duriso.
Both mothers were brought together by two Facebook posts. They have a message to share.
"There are other moms in our community, parents, that we felt safe to go to the store. Yes I was on guard. Yes I've heard of these things happening but it is in our area," Kandy shared.
Both moms called police according to Port Arthur police. When they arrived they identified the man and he is on police radar.
Police said Kandy did the right thing by yelling for help and calling police. You should do the same.