Portland police arrested a naked man on Saturday evening after he allegedly attempted to kidnap a seven-year-old girl from her mother at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The suspect, identified as Daniel Vasey, 31, was booked into Multnomah County Detention Centre on multiple charges, including first and second-degree attempted kidnapping, first-degree custodial interference, third-degree assault, and harassment.
Incident Unfolds at Busy Waterfront
At around 7pm on Saturday, police received multiple calls reporting a naked man causing havoc at the waterfront park. One caller said the man had attempted to punch them in the head. Another caller reported that the suspect had grabbed a young girl and tried to pull her away from her mother, according to Fox News.
Authorities responded to the scene and found that the child was not seriously injured. She was checked by paramedics but was not taken to a hospital by ambulance.
Tug-of-War Over the Child
An investigation revealed that Vasey allegedly grabbed the child's arm, prompting her parents and bystanders to intervene. A tug-of-war ensued, with the mother grabbing the other arm and struggling with Vasey so intensely that the girl was lifted off the ground. The child's father and other bystanders also joined in, punching, slapping, and pulling on the suspect until he released the girl.
One bystander used pepper spray in an effort to repel Vasey. The girl and her family informed police they were visiting Portland from out of state.
Previous Incident Involving Naked Man
Earlier this year, a different naked man, Benjamin Feltz, 37, was arrested after stealing an ambulance with a patient still inside and leading police on a chase. The chase covered over 18 miles and lasted about 40 minutes before ending when Feltz drove into a muddy field in Pittsville, Wisconsin. He was charged with ten crimes, including four felonies.
