OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) - Police are asking the public's help to identify a man suspected of trying to lure a child away from her mother at a North County Walmart.
Oceanside Police said the incident occurred on Sept. 6 after a juvenile female and her mom shopping at the Walmart location at 705 College Boulevard reported a stolen cell phone.
Police said security footage showed a man following the pair around the store and taking the juvenile's cell phone from their cart when they were not looking. The mother and daughter reported the phone stolen to security, according to police.
"Shortly after the girl and her mom reported the lost phone to security, the male started conversing with the juvenile and stated he had her phone in his vehicle," Bussey said.
The man started talking with the juvenile, police said, and stated he had her cell phone in his vehicle, a white hatchback, possibly a Hyundai Elantra GT.
"The male was possibly attempting to lure the juvenile to his vehicle to retrieve the phone," OPD said in a release.
"I watch really closely. I've got a younger guy so he stays attached to my hip; thank goodness but this is gonna make me even more vigilant. We hold hands now but that doesn't mean that I can't be even more cautious," said Nikki Martinez.
Anyone with information is asked to call OPD Detective Ron Nevares at 760-435-4749.
