Stranger filmed trying to abduct girl, 13, outside gas station after grabbing her by her neck

Published: 23:02 BST, 21 October 2026 | Updated: 01:09 BST, 22 October 2026

A stranger was caught on camera trying to abduct a 13-year-old girl outside a Florida gas station after grabbing her by the neck, according to police. 

Michael Polanco, 32, tried to kidnap the teenage girl on Monday in broad daylight at a Shell gas station in Miramar, about 20 miles outside of Miami, authorities said. 

The distressing footage showed Polanco wearing a bright orange bicycle helmet, blue fanny pack, tan T-shirt, and dark shorts as he approached the girl. 

He then pointed toward what appeared to be a scooter in the parking lot before wrapping his arm around her neck and walking her over to another area. 

But the girl soon realized something was off and escaped his grip as he tried to snatch her away, the video showed. 

The teenager then ran away as Polanco threw a piece of pink fabric at her and fled the scene. It is unclear if she was injured.

A witness who was working at a nearby auto shop said he watched Polanco grab the child, who looked like she was going to cry, NBC 6 reported. 

The girl ran inside the gas station and called 911 after the witness yelled at Polanco, they said. 

Michael Polanco, 32, tried to kidnap the teenage girl on Monday in broad daylight at a Shell gas station in Miramar, about 20 miles outside of Miami, authorities said

At one point, he wrapped his arm around her neck and walked her over to another area of the parking lot

Other witnesses told police that they overheard Polanco making disturbing comments. 

'The juvenile said the subject told the female to give him some kisses,' dispatcher audio said, according to WSVN. 

He has been hit with several charges, including battery, causing bodily harm and kidnapping/ inflicting bodily harm upon of terrorizing the victim

'The kid fought, broke free, ran into the gas station, made all the noise she could, drew attention to the situation and then people were able to call for help,' Miramar Police Chief Delrish Moss said. 

'Why he came here, I don’t know, but we’re glad he was captured before he was able to do something much more sinister.' 

The Miramar Police Department soon caught up with Polanco after they got word about a man matching his description who was part of another disturbance in the area, the agency said. 

Officers located the suspect and arrested him after the witness and the victim positively identified him. 

He has been hit with several charges, including battery, causing bodily harm and kidnapping/ inflicting bodily harm upon or terrorizing the victim. 

The Miramar Police Department soon caught up with Polanco after they got word about a man matching his description who was part of another disturbance in the area, the agency said

A judge denied his bond on Tuesday during a court hearing. 

This is not Polanco's first run-in with the law, as he has an extensive criminal history, the police department shared. 

He's previously committed robbery, sudden snatching, burglary with assault, trespassing, felony battery, exposure of sexual organs, and more. 

An attorney for Polanco has not been listed.  

His case is pending trial, according to arrest records. 

The Daily Mail contacted the Miramar Police Department for comment.