A naked man attempted to kidnap a 7-year-old tourist from her mother at a crowded Portland waterfront park Saturday evening, but alert bystanders physically intervened to stop the attack and protect the child until police arrived.
Attack At Popular Waterfront Location
The incident unfolded at Tom McCall Waterfront Park shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday when Portland Police received multiple calls about a naked man running through the area. One caller reported the man had tried to punch them in the head. Police later stated that all available officers were tied up responding to other emergencies and could not immediately dispatch anyone to the scene.
Twelve minutes after the initial reports, another caller frantically contacted authorities to report the suspect had grabbed a young girl and was attempting to pull her away from her mother. The child’s parents and several nearby citizens immediately sprang into action, physically confronting the attacker to free the little girl from his grasp.
Citizens Use Force To Stop Kidnapper
Witnesses told investigators the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Daniel Vasey, had seized the girl by the arm and was trying to drag her away. The child’s father and multiple bystanders punched, slapped, and pulled on Vasey until he released his grip on the terrified child. One witness deployed pepper spray against the suspect to keep him at a safe distance from other park visitors until officers could arrive and take him into custody.
Paramedics examined the young victim at the scene and treated her for scratches sustained during the attack. She did not require hospital transport. The family, visiting Portland from out of state, provided statements to investigators detailing the frightening ordeal.
Serious Charges Filed Against Suspect
Authorities arrested Vasey and transported him to the Multnomah County Detention Center, where he faces multiple felony charges including first-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree attempted kidnapping, first-degree custodial interference, third-degree assault, and harassment. The delayed police response highlights ongoing concerns about law enforcement staffing levels and response times in Portland, particularly during peak weekend hours when tourist areas experience heavy foot traffic.
The case demonstrates the critical role citizens can play in protecting vulnerable individuals when authorities cannot immediately respond. Without the quick thinking and physical courage of the father and bystanders, this attempted abduction could have resulted in a far more tragic outcome for the visiting family.
This, other attacks, and other violent acts are the direct result of Portland’s, Oregon’s, and other states the defund the police! This leads to staffing shortages. As a result lawlessness in creases. Not to mention the revolving door of the criminal “justice” system. A DSA candidate from NYC for a congressional seat opposes, and supports banning police completely! I can’t even imagine the chaos that would cause!
I guess Portland, Oregon and other Democratic cities regarding incidents like: Kidnapping, Rapes, Robberies, Home Invasions, Murders, Shooting, and etc will be delayed because there are not enough Police Officers on duty. Well I wouldn’t visit a city like that which would put my life in harms way..
Whatever you do, stay out of Memphis, TN and Birmingham, AL. Crimes of all types 24/7.
It’s a shame in Sanctuary cities that it takes 12 minutes to free up police from somewhere other activity to come to the aid of citizens.
The police would not have been necessary had I been on the scene. All that would have been needed was the coroner.
G.Lee I hope you get a chance to be of aid to some innocent person(s) .
Typical liberal SS reply.
The initiall call reporting a naked man at the beach probably seemed just an annoyance and no threat. . However, when he came in physical contact with someone — especially a child — I elevated his status to arrestible felonies and became a priority. Maybe it is now history,when I was a teen but police patrolled the beaches and more crowded ones had a full time officer. Lately the most minor contact with police and there is accusations of police brutality and the cop is taken off duty during investigations, reducing th city police force. Most often it is instigated from the exgerated or false reports on the internet. people trying t get rich over false accusations end up crippling the police force ovr a lie
Poor Governance (Dumocrats) does not solve the issues either!!
And many so-called Americans wish to defund the police. Very sad.
Put him in Prison, he will be taken care of for a little while.
Hmmm. Not enough cops to respond to this incident. Is this due to the rash of crime in the city or the result of defunding police. Or both.
You nailed it….wasting the taxpayer money on the homeless
Portland, you deserve what you/ve voted for!!! The criminals are running the city!!!
If this were to happen in a Red State rather than Portland, Oregon this perp would be on a slab in the Morgue…In Portland they slap, pull and lightly punch….as a Native Oregonian, now a Texan, I’m ashamed of what that State has become!