A weekend afternoon at Tom McCall Waterfront Park turned terrifying when, according to witnesses, a 31-year-old man tried to pull a 7-year-old girl out of her mother's arms near the Salmon Street Springs. Bystanders, including the child's parents, jumped in and physically restrained the man until officers arrived. Police say the suspect was later found wading naked in the Willamette River and taken into custody, while the child was treated for minor scratches.
Suspect Identified And Charged
Portland police identified the suspect as 31-year-old Daniel C. Vasey. According to KATU, Vasey was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges that include attempted kidnapping in the first and second degrees, custodial interference in the first degree, third-degree assault and harassment. The case is being logged under number 26-201501, according to the station.
What Investigators Say
Investigators concluded that Vasey grabbed the girl's arm while her mother clutched the other, trying to stop him from taking the child, according to KATU. Police say the struggle lifted the girl off the ground before bystanders moved in, with witnesses describing people punching, slapping and pulling on the suspect until he let go. One person used an irritant spray to keep the man away, and paramedics treated the child at the scene.
Park Safety And Precedent
The riverfront and Salmon Street Springs are among downtown Portland's busiest public spaces, drawing families, tourists and regulars alike. The Portland Police Bureau has previously highlighted similar foiled abduction attempts and publicly credited community members who stepped in. As outlined by the Portland Police Bureau, witness accounts and swift action by bystanders have helped officers in past waterfront and neighborhood incidents.
