Attempted kidnapper arrested after trying to take 3-year-old girl in stroller from downtown LA train station

Police have announced the arrest of an attempted kidnapper who tried to take a three-year-old girl who was with her mother at a train stop in Los Angeles in late-August. 

The incident happened on Aug. 26, when the suspect approached a woman who was sitting at the station near Gateway Plaza, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. 

"The suspect placed his finger on the daughter's chest and kissed her on her forehead before reaching into her stroller," the statement said. "Once the suspect grabbed the harness of the stroller, the mother pushed the suspect away."

Police say that the suspect then threatened the woman, telling her that he would kill her as he removed a handsaw from his backpack. He ended up leaving the scene, prompted officers to begin their search. 

On Thursday, Sept. 12, detectives discovered that their suspect, 35-year-old Noel Gallegos, was already in custody for an unrelated matter. He had additional charges filed including attempted kidnap and two counts of criminal threats, police said. 

Anyone who knows more is asked to contact LAPD at (213) 833-3750.