Global Courant
A man wanted in New Jersey for allegedly trying to use candy to kidnap a 7-year-old boy from a Wawa restroom has been identified and arrested, authorities said Friday.
Thomas Cannon, 79, was arrested Thursday and charged with endangering a child’s welfare after the May 28 incident at the store on State Highway 47 in Maurice River, Cumberland County prosecutors said in a press release.
Cannon of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, is accused of entering a restroom and offering the boy candy to leave the store with him, New Jersey state police said.
During the encounter, Cannon reportedly grabbed the 7-year-old’s arm to physically take him out of the store after the boy refused to go to his car.
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Thomas Cannon, 79, was arrested Thursday in connection with an alleged kidnapping attempt of a 7-year-old boy at a Wawa in Maurice River, New Jersey. (Prosecutor Cumberland County / New Jersey State Police)
According to the authorities, the 7-year-old resisted and managed to break free from the grip of the suspect. The young child then ran to his mother, who was using the women’s toilet at the time.
According to authorities, Cannon would have offered candy in an attempt to lure the boy with him. (New Jersey State Police)
The suspect had already left the store when the child’s family learned of the alleged incident.
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During the search for the suspect, investigators released video surveillance footage from the Wawa store showing the suspect entering and exiting the establishment.
Cannon, according to authorities, drove away from the Wawa in a white Toyota 4-Runner after the boy refused to leave him and escaped his grasp. (New Jersey State Police)
Police had described the suspect as a white man with gray, thinning hair combed back, and wearing blue jeans and a maroon or burgundy T-shirt. Detectives believe the suspect left the Wawa in a white Toyota 4-Runner.
Prosecutors say Cannon was charged with a third-degree misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
