Local
Miramar police say witness saw man seize 13-year-old at gas station
A 32-year-old man was arrested Monday after a witness reported seeing him grab a 13-year-old girl by the neck and try to take her from a Miramar gas station, police said. He was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on battery and kidnapping charges.
A 32-year-old man was arrested Monday after police say he grabbed a 13-year-old girl by the neck and tried to walk away with her from a Miramar gas station.
The incident was reported earlier in the day at a Shell station at 2840 S. State Road 7, according to Miramar police. An arrest report says a witness saw Michael Polanco grab the girl and attempt to leave with her.
Police said Polanco fled west from the station. While officers were responding, they received information that a man matching his description was involved in another disturbance nearby. Officers redirected to that area and detained him, police said.
The girl and a witness identified Polanco as the person who tried to take her, authorities said. He was arrested and taken to the Broward County Main Jail, where he was booked on charges of battery causing bodily harm and kidnapping involving bodily harm or terrorizing a victim.
As of Tuesday morning, Polanco remained in jail and was expected to appear in bond court later that day. Police said he has a lengthy criminal history that includes robbery, burglary and battery, among other offenses. The allegations in the current case have not been adjudicated in court.