Suspect arrested in connection with attempted abduction at Willow Grove Mall: police
WILLOW GROVE, Pa. (CBS) -- Police said a suspect wanted in connection with an attempted abduction at the Willow Grove Mall is in custody on Thursday.
Authorities said Khalil Evans surrendered at his attorney's office in Media, Delaware County. At the moment, he's charged with unlawful imprisonment of a child and harassment, and more charges could be coming, police said.
Evans has a 28-page rap sheet and is currently on probation in Philadelphia, according to police.
Evans is expected to see a judge and bail will be set Thursday night, officials said.
Another man was allegedly working with Evans during the attempted abduction, but police said they're still trying to determine his role in the case. He's still at large and police have not identified him at this time.
The incident happened around 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Willow Grove Mall in Abington Township, in the 2500 block of Moreland Road, according to police.
Police said Evans had multiple interactions with other women, including one who CBS Philadelphia spoke with as she came to the police station to file a report.
The young woman, who we're not identifying, came to Abington Police Headquarters to report her encounter with the same man police allege attempted to abduct a 14-year-old girl Wednesday.
"He was creepy," the woman said. "I was nervous when I found out about it because we were on our way coming home and then my friend was like, 'Oh my God, look at the video.' And then it was on the news and stuff."
The victim said this incident happened moments before the 14-year-old was allegedly approached by Evans.
Abington Township police believe Evans and the other man were working together to try to abduct the teen in the middle of the mall.
The teen told police she was going down the mall escalator from the second floor to the first. When she got to the bottom, she said she met one of the men, who allegedly identified himself as "Alex."
According to police, the man asked the teen to walk with him. He allegedly extended his arm as if he was going to escort her.
When the teen told the man she was underage and tried to step away from him, police claim the man grabbed her arm, placed it in his and started leading her through the mall.
"These two individuals, at least the one, targeted her because she was alone -- because she was a victim," Chief Patrick Molloy, of the Abington Police Department, said.
Police said the girl was able to break away from the man's grasp, and immediately started screaming and running away. Authorities said she was also able to capture a picture of the suspect with her phone.
Several bystanders witnessed the altercation and stepped in to prevent the man from approaching the teen again but couldn't prevent him from getting away, police said.
"She had the presence of mind to scream and fight back. It's the only way you're going to save yourself," Molloy said.
Evans and the other man took off in a dark gray Dodge or Chrysler minivan or crossover-type vehicle, such as a Dodger Journey, after the incident, police said.
They also believe the two men could be involved with a third incident that happened in June involving another teen girl in a Bucks County mall. Police are asking potential victims to come forward.
If you recognize the second suspect, you should call Abington police.
PREIT, the owner of Willow Grove Mall, released a statement about the attempted abduction:
"As always the safety and security of our shoppers is a top priority. We were pleased to learn that one of the suspects was apprehended and we will continue to cooperate with the Abington PD in their investigation. We are thankful to both bystanders and authorities for their prompt reaction."
