Man Wanted in Kidnapping Attempt at Kroger
UPDATE: The man has been identified.
Columbia County authorities are investigating an apparent kidnapping attempt last week at the Kroger Marketplace Store on Lewiston Road in Grovetown.
Investigators have released a picture of an older white male with white hair and a beard wearing an orange shirt who may have tried to take a 7-year-old child from his mother last Friday.
The mother told authorities she got concerned when the man started walking around her and her three children. While she was talking to a Kroger employee, the mother said she turned to see the man leading her son by the wrist and heard him say, “Tell your momma bye.” The mother yelled and the child was able to break away.
A deputy talked to the store manager who said several employees recognized the man, but couldn’t identify him. He said employees reported the man made them feel uncomfortable and had made rude comments to them.
The man being sought was wearing blue jeans and a bright orange shirt. An incident report from the sheriff’s office says, “the subject walked around for approximately 10 minutes. He goes through self-checkout and pays $10 cash for shrimp. He is seen on video footage exiting Kroger from the Starbucks door.”
If you can help with any information that could help identify the man, call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 541-2800.
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