According to a report by Law and Crime on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, two men have been arrested in Alabama on accusations of attempting to kidnap children from a public park using ice cream as bait. The incident unfolded on August 4 at Sportsman Lake Park, a popular recreational area located approximately 50 miles north of Birmingham.
According to an emailed statement from the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, Robert Lee Hollis, 46, and Andrei Anatolyahch Gouchtchine, 37, were apprehended after deputies received a report of suspicious behavior. Witnesses at the park observed the men loitering and allegedly watching children intently. The situation escalated when Hollis reportedly purchased ice cream from a concession stand and used it to try to lure young girls toward him and his vehicle.
“The two individuals were watching and following children around inside the park. They allegedly attempted to use ice cream cones in an attempt to lure children away with them,” stated the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. The plan appeared to involve Hollis enticing the children while Gouchtchine waited in a nearby car, ready to facilitate their abduction. The quick intervention of concerned park-goers and law enforcement prevented the situation from potentially becoming a tragedy.
Both men were arrested on the scene and are currently being held without bond at the Cullman County Jail. They face charges of second-degree kidnapping, a serious offense that underscores the gravity of their alleged actions. Local news outlet WBMA reported that it was Hollis who made the initial purchase of the ice cream, a seemingly innocent act that quickly turned sinister. As he attempted to persuade the children to approach him and enter the car, bystanders alerted authorities, leading to a swift response and subsequent arrests.
The community has been left shaken by the incident, which has drawn attention to the potential dangers lurking even in seemingly safe public spaces. Allie Buchanan, a program supervisor for adults with disabilities and a lifelong resident of Cullman, expressed her disbelief at the situation. Speaking to WBRC, a local Fox affiliate, Buchanan reflected on the changing nature of safety in the community. “I’ve lived here my whole life … and when I was a kid, I never felt worried but now, kids that are growing up now? Their parents have to be like helicopter moms and that’s scary,” Buchanan said, capturing the heightened anxiety that many parents feel in the wake of the incident.
An ongoing investigation seeks to uncover more details about the suspects and their intentions. Publicly available court records reveal that both Hollis and Gouchtchine have a history of criminal activity. Gouchtchine’s record includes multiple arrests for theft, burglary, and possession of a controlled substance, while Hollis has faced charges related to possession and distribution of controlled substances, as well as forgery. The authorities are working diligently to piece together the full scope of events and to determine whether there may have been other similar incidents.
The unsettling nature of the allegations has put the community on high alert, with parents and guardians reassessing their vigilance when it comes to their children’s safety. As of now, it is unclear if Hollis and Gouchtchine have secured legal representation.