Birmingham, AL- Two men in Alabama are charged with kidnapping after police say they tried to entice small children away from a public park with ice cream cones.
Robert Lee Hollis, 46, and Andrei Anatolyahch Gouchtchine, 37, were detained on August 4 after Cullman County Sheriff’s officers responded to a complaint at Sportsman Lake Park, a huge public park and playground in suburban Cullman, about 50 miles north of Birmingham.
According to local ABC affiliate WBMA, Hollis allegedly purchased ice cream from a concession stand at the park before attempting to entice the juvenile girls he purchased it for to approach him and enter his car.
“The two individuals were watching and following children around inside the park. They allegedly attempted to use ice cream cones in an attempt to lure children away with them,” police told Law&Crime in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
Gouchtchine was allegedly waiting in the car as Hollis attempted to kidnap minors.
Both guys are presently held without bond at the Cullman County Jail.
Hollis and Gouchtchine have been charged with second-degree kidnapping.
It is unclear whether they have hired an attorney.
The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation is ongoing as reported by ABC-3340 News.