Man arrested after abducting 3-year-old boy at Milpitas library

MILPITAS, Calif. (KTVU) -- Authorities in Milpitas announced they have arrested the man who allegedly took a three-year-old boy from the town's library late Friday morning, according to police.

Milpitas Police Chief Steve Pangelinan said police received the first call of the alleged abduction at about 10:40 a.m. The library is located at 160 N. Main St.

Pangelinan said the mother was with the child inside the library and alerted library officials to her missing child.

Library staff called police and arriving officers started searching the library before being told that a man had left with a child matching the description of the missing boy, Pangelinan said.

At this point police reclassified the investigation as a child abduction and began asking for help from other agencies, including police and transit, the chief said.

"It's a horrific, horrific crime," Pangelinan said.

About one hour later, police received a call from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority reporting that a bus driver, Tim Watson, had seen a person and a child matching the boy's description, Pangelinan said.

"I pull over and I hit the brake and I say I'm looking for a green backpack, so I wanted to observe the young man and see if my description meets my criteria on my sat com, and sure enough what caught my eye was the red shoes," said Watson.

According to the chief, the suspect had boarded the bus at about 11 a.m. from the Great Mall of the Bay Area in Milpitas.

The chief said Fremont police arrested Alfonso David Edington when he got off the bus with the child at the Fremont BART station. Officers transmitted a photo of the child to the Milpitas Police Department's command post and authorities were able confirm the child was the one missing, Pangelinan said.

"The bus driver is a hero," Pangelinan said. "Absolute hero."

Pangelinan said police do not yet know the Edington's motive. He might be transient, but Pangelinan said his address of record is in Pittsburg.

The chief said the library has not had a problem in the past with homeless people visiting the library, but library officials will now be looking into enhanced security.

"The family is extremely emotional," the chief said, but by all appearances the child is unharmed.

The chief urged parents to watch their kids to the best of their ability even in the nicest neighborhoods.

"I'm glad to report a happy ending," Pangelinan said.

Anyone with any information regarding this abduction or who may have been present at the library is encouraged to call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400.