ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. --
Officials with the Orange County Sheriff's Office say they have arrested the suspect who was chased down by the mother of a girl he allegedly tried to kidnap Friday afternoon.
29-year-old Micah Green is behind bars Saturday morning after deputies say he tried to kidnap an 8-year-old girl. Investigators say the victim's mother helped track down the suspect until he was arrested.
Law enforcement officials told WFTV the girl was outside her home near 36th Street and Nashville Avenue in Orlando when she claims Green walked up to her, grabbed her and pulled her towards him. Deputies say the 8-year-old was able the struggle her way free.
"She gets home, tells mom and immediately mom puts her in the car... they start driving towards the area," explained Cpl. Susan Soto with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The mother and daughter spotted Green not far away. Seconds later officials receive a 911 call that a mother was chasing a man down the street. Investigators say the mother chased Green into a Race Trac gas station where a few employees and citizens helped detain him until the police arrived.
Deputies say they don't advise people to take the law into their own hands but in this case, it worked.
"This child was obviously very aware of her surroundings, which is extremely important to teach our kids that," said Cpl Soto.
Green is facing charges of kidnapping a child under 13 and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officials told WFTV because Green grabbed the child and pulled her towards him against her will, the crime qualifies as a kidnapping charge, rather than attempted kidnapping. He is expected to face a judge for his initial appearance on Saturday.
"I'm innocent of all charges," Green told WFTV as he was led off to the Orange County Jail.
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