Man arrested for allegedly trying to lure boy, 5, from playground
HOUSTON (FOX 26) - A Houston man was arrested for allegedly trying to coax a 5-year-old boy away from a playground at Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Park in Alief on Wednesday evening.
Erick Guillermo Hernandez, 57, is facing felony charges of attempted kidnapping. According to the Harris County Pct. 5 Constable's Office, a witness saw Hernandez repeatedly try to coax a 5-year-old boy to come away from the playground and take pictures of him on his cellphone.
Authorities say say a friend who was watching the boy confronted Hernandez and then called the boy's father who was jogging at the park. According to Pct. 5, Hernandez left the scene, but after the boy's father returned, the boy was able to identify the suspect along the walking trail.
Deputies responded to the scene and spoke to witnesses before arresting Hernandez. His cellphone was confiscated as evidence.
Authorities say the boy was unharmed.
The investigation is ongoing. The Harris County Pct. 5 Constable's Office is asking any other parents whose children may have had contact with Hernandez to call the office at 281-463-6666.