A Niagara Falls man has been charged following the attempted abduction of two children at the Canadian Cheer All-Star National Championships over the weekend, police say.
According to a release issued by Niagara Regional Police Service on Monday, officers were called to Niagara Falls Convention Centre, located on Stanley Avenue following reports an individual had attempted to abduct a child.
Investigators allege a male food service worker, employed by a third-party vendor, completed his shift at approximately 11 p.m. on April 9, after which he entered the public area of the convention. Police say a coach intervened after observing the man approach a nine-year-old girl and attempt to remove her from the building.
The man allegedly approached a 10-year-old girl a short time later and again attempted to remove her from the building. According to police, the man fled the scene after coaches approached him.As a result of NRPS’ investigation, 19-year-old Rodney Ababio of Niagara Falls was arrested on April 10 at 2:30pm after returning to the convention centre for his shift.Ababio was held in custody and appeared in a St. Catharines courtroom on April 11.