Woman attempts double kidnapping in Southeast D.C.: Police

A woman who tried to grab two young children from a stroller Monday evening had no apparent connection to the childrens' family or the caregiver, authorities said.

Neither the children nor the woman watching them were injured during the Southeast D.C. crime, according to U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider.

Crystal Ann Barnes, 23, was arrested a short time later and charged with aggravated assault and two counts of attempted kidnapping, according to Schneider.

Schneider declined to discuss some details of the incident because the investigation is ongoing. But she said police believe that Barnes had no connection with the children or the woman. "It seems that it was random," she said.

It started shortly before 5 p.m. as the female caregiver was walking with the two young children in a stroller, authorities said. Schneider said another woman approached them and tried to grab the children from the stroller, and pull the stroller away. The ages of the children were not immediately available.

The assailant pulled the caregiver's hair and spit in her face, Schneider said. "It's just so terrifying," she said. "She was pretty vicious and forceful."

Police said the children's father flagged down U.S. Capitol Police Officer Jason Packer in the 400 block of First Street Southeast and reported the incident. Barnes was arrested at the Capitol South Metro Station and was identified by the adult victim, police said.

-- Maria Glod

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