A father in Cornelius, Oregon, thwarted an attempted kidnapping of his 8-month-old child from a stroller at a Walmart on December 21, 2025. Denis Villalobos, 37, was quickly identified via a witness’s note of his white Jeep’s license plate and arrested nearby. Surveillance footage showed him staring at the child beforehand, suggesting possible stalking behavior.​
Incident Details
The struggle occurred around 7:48 p.m. at the Walmart on 220 N. Adair Street, where Villalobos tried to grab the child; the father, Gaspar Pedro-Lucas, intervened and sustained minor injuries after Villalobos dropped a knife. No harm came to the unharmed infant, and multiple agencies including Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and Beaverton police responded. The child’s mother expressed relief over the quick local police response in their small community.​
Charges and Indictment
A grand jury indicted Villalobos on December 29, 2025, for second-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing. He remains in Washington County Jail without bail, as ordered by Judge Oscar Garcia.​
Current Status
Villalobos was slated for a court appearance shortly after the original report, but no public updates confirm outcomes from early January 2026 hearings as of the latest available reports. He has prior minor records, including a dismissed harassment citation and probation for trespassing. Witnesses with additional details should contact Cornelius Police at 503-629-0111, case #57-25-1325.​
