A routine Walmart run turned violent when a knife-wielding suspect allegedly lunged for a toddler inside an Oregon store and was fought off by the child’s father.
Authorities say the terrifying encounter unfolded just before 8 p.m. on December 21 inside the Walmart in Cornelius, where a family was shopping days before Christmas with their young child seated in a stroller.
Investigators allege Denis Villalobos, 37, began trailing the family through the store, focusing his attention on the toddler without their knowledge.
Security footage reviewed by deputies allegedly shows Villalobos closely watching the stroller as the family passed through the aisles, creating a tense situation that escalated without warning.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office Corporal David Huey described the moment as unsettling, noting, “He looks like he’s staring at the child as the family walks by. And they don’t even know who he is.”
Moments later, deputies say the suspect suddenly made his move, reaching into the stroller and grabbing the toddler in full view of shoppers.
Video from inside the Walmart allegedly captured the child’s father reacting instantly, stepping in to fight off the suspect without hesitation.
Witnesses watched as the father wrestled to regain control of the stroller while protecting his child.
During the confrontation, deputies allege Villalobos pulled a knife from his pocket, raising the stakes of the encounter as the child’s mother and nearby shoppers looked on in horror.
Despite the weapon, the struggle continued, and the suspect reportedly dropped the knife before fleeing the scene.
The father was able to secure his child and end the attempted abduction, suffering only minor injuries in the process.
Authorities confirmed the toddler and family were not physically harmed, though deputies acknowledged the incident left them shaken.
Law enforcement said quick thinking by witnesses played a key role in the suspect’s arrest.
Deputies reported that Villalobos drove away in a white Jeep, but bystanders wrote down the license plate number, allowing authorities to track him down shortly after the incident.
Villalobos was arrested and booked into the Washington County Jail, where investigators continued building their case.
On December 29, a grand jury reviewed the evidence and returned an indictment covering multiple felony and misdemeanor charges tied to the violent encounter.
According to court records, Villalobos faces charges including first-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing. Jail records also show he was arrested for violating his probation.
The child’s mother, who requested anonymity, described lingering fear following the incident, telling KOIN, “It’s kind of scary. Especially the fact that he lives around this neighborhood.”
Lock Them Up! Russiagate is reigniting…
Obama, Clinton, Comey, and Brennan are all on the hook!
CLICK HERE to demand Russiagate conspirators got to prison!
She also pointed to relief in the police response, adding, “It’s actually nice to live in a small community where we have the police department around the area doing their job and very close by. So we’re, we’re very thankful for that.”
Court documents reveal Villalobos has a lengthy criminal history that prosecutors are expected to highlight as the case moves forward.
Records show convictions for aggravated harassment in 2017, first-degree criminal trespassing in 2011, interfering with a peace, parole or probation officer in 2010, resisting arrest in 2008, and second-degree criminal mischief in 2007.
The attempted kidnapping inside the Oregon Walmart came during a week marked by several violent and alarming incidents at Walmart locations nationwide.
In Ohio, a routine shoplifting stop escalated into a near-fatal confrontation when an alleged thief attempted to shoot a police officer inside a Canton Walmart.
Shane Newman, 21, now faces attempted murder charges after body camera and store surveillance footage captured the incident.
Police said store security initially spotted Newman and 23-year-old Katarina Jeffrey leaving the store with unpaid merchandise.
A responding officer escorted both suspects to the loss prevention office for a search.
During the interaction, the officer questioned Newman about his behavior, asking, “Do you have anything on you that I need to know about? Why is your hand in your pocket?” Newman replied on camera, “I have a snap phone.”
Investigators said Newman complied with a pat-down and handed over a container believed to hold illegal drugs.
When Jeffrey asked whether they were going to jail, the officer responded, “Not unless something crazy happens.”
Minutes later, dispatchers alerted the officer that Newman had an active warrant and was considered armed and dangerous.
Store surveillance footage allegedly shows Newman turning away, pulling a gun from a shoulder bag, and aiming it at the officer’s head before pulling the trigger. The gun failed to fire.
NEW: Ohio shoplifting suspect tries to shoot officer, but the gun malfunctions
The officer was inside the loss prevention office with Shane Newman, 21, and Katerina Jeffrey, 23
Newman pulled out a handgun and tried to shoot the officer. The gun did not fire
A Walmart asset… pic.twitter.com/0BBrppug3s
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) December 19, 2025
A Walmart security employee rushed in and wrestled the weapon away, while the officer later admitted he drew his own gun but held fire to avoid hitting the worker.
Newman remains jailed on a $1 million bond and faces charges including attempted murder, felonious assault on a peace officer, and robbery.
Jeffrey was charged with complicity to commit robbery after investigators found two 9mm rounds in her pocket.
Earlier in December, police in Biloxi, Mississippi, arrested a woman accused of inserting razor blades into loaves of bread at two Walmart stores.
Camille Benson, 33, of Texas, was charged with attempted mayhem, with her bond set at $100,000.
Customers reported discovering razor blades inside bread purchased from a Walmart Supercenter and a Walmart Neighborhood Market.
Police said additional tampered loaves were found after employees inspected merchandise following customer complaints.
Walmart issued a statement during the investigation, stating, “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. We have removed and thoroughly inspected all potentially affected products at impacted stores in Biloxi. We appreciate law enforcement for their swift action and will continue cooperating with them as they investigate.”
Police said no other stores are believed to have been targeted.
