by A terrifying scene unfolded on a busy Coney Island sidewalk Sunday night when a man in a bizarrely tall hat tried to kidnap a 6-year-old boy in plain view of bystanders.
The would-be abduction was foiled thanks to the child’s piercing scream and the swift action of his parents, who chased down the suspect and held him until police arrived. The entire ordeal was caught on camera, leaving locals stunned and demanding answers.
- Incident Date & Location:
- Sunday night, just before 10 p.m.
- Corner of Stillwell and Surf Avenues, Coney Island, NYC
- Victim:
- 6-year-old Rah’Shem “Rah’Rah” Gantt
- Suffered minor injuries, taken to Coney Island Hospital in stable condition
- Suspect:
- 36-year-old Jonathan Robalino
- Wore all black, including a tall fez-style hat
- Charged with assault and attempted kidnapping
- Sequence of Events:
- Family was returning from the beach and amusement park
- While his mother looked for popcorn, Rah’Rah briefly trailed behind
- Robalino allegedly snatched the child and began fleeing
- The boy’s loud scream alerted his mother, Sharon Robinson
- Parents’ Brave Action:
- Robinson saw the stranger holding her son “like a football”
- She and her husband immediately gave chase
- Robalino tossed the boy to the ground when confronted
- The couple pursued him across the street, dodging cars
- Robinson eventually tackled the suspect near the IT’SUGAR store
- Police Response:
- Officers initially restrained the mother, mistaking her for the attacker
- Witnesses stepped in, explaining the situation
- Nearby officers later arrested Robalino
- Mother’s Statement:
- “If Rah’Rah hadn’t screamed, that man would have taken him… maybe raped and killed him.”
- “He thought I wouldn’t run to my son. I did.”
- Current Status:
- The boy is safe and recovering
- The suspect is in custody
- Investigation continues
