CCTV footage of a man’s attempt to kidnap a 4-year-old girl goes viral

Shocking footage of the moment when a kidnapping is thwarted in broad daylight has surfaced online.

CCTV cameras from a pizzeria in Florida, Johannesburg, captured the entire incident, which took place around 5 p.m. Thursday (local time).

In the video, a 24-year-old man appears to grab a 4-year-old girl by the neck in front of her mother.

Two women are sitting with the boy when the man suddenly appears in front of the Bella Napoli restaurant.

Suddenly the man jumps over the railing and can be seen heading straight for the boy.

The man, who has since been arrested, according to local media, could also be seen violently grabbing the girl by the neck.

The woman sitting opposite the girl jumps on the table to protect the boy.

Nearby passersby and diners can be seen springing into action, pulling the man away from the boy and knocking him to the ground.

It is unclear whether the man was known to the two women or to the boy.

Horrified social media users have been circulating the video since it was shared 16 hours ago.

A follow-up video was also released, showing the suspect lying on the ground as blood runs down his face.

Police confirmed that the violent incident took place the day before, on Thursday, September 10.

SAPS captain Kay Makhubela told local news outlet The South African that the man grabbed a 4-year-old girl by the neck as if he wanted to take her away.

“It is alleged that in [September 10, 2020] At approximately 5:00 p.m., the complainant was at the Florida pizzeria with her 4-year-old son when an unknown man arrived and grabbed her by the neck as if he wanted to take her away, “Makhubela said.

“The mother and child screamed and with the help of the store owner and the community, the suspect was apprehended,” he added.

The 24-year-old suspect was arrested and appeared in Roodepoort Magistrates Court on Friday morning and was charged with battery, News24 reports.