A man was arrested in downtown Portland Monday afternoon and likely faces a charge of attempted kidnapping of a 5-year-old, according to police.
About 2:30 p.m. Monday, officers in Central Precinct responded to a report of an attempted kidnapping at Northwest 1st Avenue and Davis Street.
Officers arrived at the scene and detained Spencer T. Meng, 43, who claimed the 5-year-old was his daughter, police said. Meng allegedly tried to take the child and threatened her caregiver with a knife, police said, adding that the caregiver fought off the attack with pepper-spray and got the child to safety.
Meng was arrested and later taken to a hospital for unspecified medical reasons. Authorities placed him on a “police officer hold,” citing a possible danger to others. Police said he faces charges of second-degree attempted kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and a violation for possession of methamphetamine.
On Sunday, in an unrelated incident, local officials issued an Amber Alert when a car was stolen in Southeast Portland with a 7-year-old girl sleeping inside. The girl was found unharmed.
