Authorities have taken Khalilh Evans, a 44-year-old man from Philadelphia, into custody in connection with the attempted abduction of a teenage girl at Willow Grove Park Mall in Pennsylvania. Evans has been charged with false imprisonment of a minor. The arrest comes after a disturbing incident that occurred on Wednesday evening, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
The incident unfolded around 7pm on Wednesday at the mall located on 2500 Moreland Road in Montgomery County, Abington Township. According to the 14-year-old victim, as she was descending an escalator from the second level to the first level, she was approached by a man who identified himself as “Alex.” The man, believed to be significantly older than the girl, requested her company and extended his arm as if to escort her.
When the girl informed the man of her underage status and attempted to step away, he allegedly grabbed her arm, restrained her, and proceeded to lead her across the mall. Disturbing footage of the incident captured the moment when the man twisted the girl’s wrist, leaving no ambiguity about the nature of the encounter.
However, the girl managed to break free from the man’s grip, screamed for help, and fled. Several witnesses intervened, preventing the man from approaching her further. The suspects, who appeared to be working together, quickly left the mall after the girl escaped. They were last seen entering a dark grey Dodge or Chrysler minivan, possibly a Dodge Journey.
Since releasing photos of the suspects, the police have received valuable tips from the public. One tip indicated that a man matching the same description had used the name “Alex” while giving his phone number to another 14-year-old. Additionally, there have been reports from other young women who claim that the suspects approached them at the mall.
After an ongoing investigation, police identified Khalilh Evans as one of the suspects involved in the attempted abduction. Evans voluntarily surrendered to U.S. Marshals at his attorney’s office in Media, Delaware County, on Thursday. He has been transported back to Abington Township and is expected to be arraigned soon. Evans was found wearing a “security” uniform during his escort, although it remains unclear if he was employed as a security guard.
Abington Township Police Chief Patrick Molloy expressed his concern over the incident, calling it “particularity disturbing.” He also criticised the policies in Philadelphia that he believes contribute to dangerous felons being released back onto the streets. Chief Molloy emphasised the need for a more effective system to ensure public safety, particularly when innocent children are involved.
While Evans is now in custody, the investigation is ongoing, and authorities are still working to determine the exact role of the second suspect in the incident. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and Evans’ lawyer have yet to respond to the comments made by Chief Molloy.
The owner of Willow Grove Park Mall issued a statement assuring the public that the safety and security of shoppers are a top priority. They expressed gratitude for the prompt reaction of bystanders and authorities, emphasizing their cooperation with the ongoing investigation conducted by the Abington Police Department.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with additional information related to the incident to contact the police immediately.
