Police say a Good Samaritan was able to stop a man posing as a police officer from kidnapping two young children Friday at a shopping center.
According to a news release from Prince George's County Police, Michael Jesse McLong, 25, approached a 12-year-old girl and her 8-year-old brother while they were waiting to cross Landover Road around 2:30 p.m.
Officials said McLong told the children he was a police officer, then grabbed the girl's arm.
"I'm one of the good guys. I'm a police officer," McLong said to the children, according to court documents.
Police said the girl resisted but he continued pulling her toward a shopping center.
Eric Lee drove by the incident and decided to stop and confront McLong.
"You never know what could have ended up happening," Lee said. "I saw a lot of people just walking past [the kids]. If you see some kids in distress, why not stop?"
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Lee said McLong told him he was an officer.
"I asked him what he was going, he said, 'I'm a police officer,'" Lee said. "I asked for his badge, and he told me to mind my business."
Lee said he then parked around the corner and slowly approached Lee.
"I tried to grab him but he ran," Lee said. "I chased him for a little bit and he got away."
An off-duty police officer and a nearby security guard detained McLong until Prince George's County police officers arrived.
"If it was my child, I would want somebody to do the same thing," Lee said.
McLong is facing several charges connected to the case and police say McLong may have had other victims. Call police if you have any information.
"All the credit and our incredible thanks go to this Good Samaritan who just did a phenomenal job," Lt. Bill Alexander with Prince George's County Police said.
