Quick Thinking by Community Member Thwarts Abduction; Suspect Apprehended and Charged
In a heart-stopping incident in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a man was apprehended and charged after allegedly attempting to abduct a child as they disembarked from a school bus. The swift response of an unknown adult, who intervened and prevented the abduction, played a vital role in thwarting the danger. The police have identified the suspect as Corey Jamaal Conrad Jr, 23, of Winston-Salem.
The incident occurred at the 1300 block of North Cherry Street on a Friday afternoon. An unidentified individual attempted to abduct a child, grabbing their arm and claiming to know the child. Fortunately, an adult who knew the child immediately intervened, causing the suspect to flee the scene. Subsequently, on Saturday morning, officers returned to the area after the child’s mother spotted the suspect. This led to a sequence of events that culminated in the suspect’s apprehension.
Upon their arrival at the scene, officers faced resistance from Conrad, who attempted to flee back to his residence. During the arrest, he allegedly assaulted one of the officers. Following an investigation by the WSPD’s Criminal Investigations Division, Conrad has been charged with abduction of a child, assault on a child under 12, resisting a public officer, and assault on a government official.
READ ALSO: Former Connecticut Mayoral Candidate Pleads Guilty To Capitol Breach Charge
As a result of the charges, Conrad has been held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court. Notably, the WSPD emphasized the importance of vigilance and community cohesion in ensuring the safety of children at bus stops. They also expressed gratitude to the members of the community who assisted in swiftly completing the investigation.
The WSPD urged residents to report any suspicious activity to the local law enforcement agency and reiterated the significance of adult supervision at bus stops. They also advised parents to educate their children about the dangers posed by strangers and promote the use of the buddy system for added safety. The police requested anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and provide assistance in the ongoing investigation.