Press release:

A 43 year old Seattle man was arrested this evening after attempting to kidnap an Albertson’s employee by dragging her into his van.

The incident occurred tonight just before 5:00 PM at the Albertson’s located at S128th St. and 1 AVE S.

Deputies said a 21 year old female employee was in the parking lot of the store gathering shopping carts. The suspect, who was not known to the victim, approached her and tried to convince her to get into his van.

When the victim would not get into the van the suspect grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her into the van. A nearby witness called 911 and ran to assist the victim. The victim was able to get away from the suspect and ran into the store to hide.

Witnesses said the suspect then went into the store and appeared to be looking for the woman. King County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived quickly and took the suspect into custody as he was leaving the store.

Deputies said the victim was “very shaken up after the incident.” The victim told deputies that prior to the suspect grabbing the her, he tried to used a number of ploys to get her near his van, including telling her there was a cart near the van and asking her if she wanted to see the refrigerator in his van.

“It is because we had citizens willing to act, help, and do the right thing that something very bad did not happen to this woman,” said King County Sheriff Sergeant Pat McCurdy. “This is another example of why it is important for people to trust their instincts and have important conversations with their children.”

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail. The case will be forwarded to the King County Prosecutor for the filing of charges.