By Andrew Colegrove, WSAZ News Staff | WTAP
BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) — A man is facing a felony charge of attempted abduction after he allegedly grabbed a 5-year-old girl at the Huntington Mall Monday evening.
Mohamed Fathy Hussein Zayan from Alexandria, Egypt, was arraigned at the Cabell County Courthouse late Monday night.
According to the criminal complaint, a mother was shopping with her daughter in the Old Navy store a little after 6 p.m. when the suspect approached them.
The complaint says the suspect “grabbed the child by the hair and attempted to pull her away,” and then the little girl “dropped to the floor with the male still pulling her away.”
Police say the mother then pulled out a handgun and told the suspect to let go of the child. The mother told police the man then let go of the girl and ran out of the store into the mall.
Police say a short time later, officers and mall security spotted the suspect walking near the food court, where he was taken into custody.
The Cabell County Sheriff’s Department was also on the scene to help secure the perimeter.
Barboursville police are investigating and believe this is an isolated incident, and no further danger to the public exists.
The suspect’s bond was set at $200,000.
The magistrate says he’ll have to surrender his passport and stay in West Virginia.
An Arabic-speaking interpreter was used on the phone at the arraignment.
The suspect’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 8.
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