Bystanders Prevent Kidnapping In San Francisco Ferry Building

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A homeless woman tried to kidnap a two or three-year-old boy from San Francisco's Ferry Building Monday morning, but the child's mother hung onto the boy and bystanders came to their rescue, according to reports. Other witnesses called 911. The suspect was held by the bystanders until police arrived.

The boy and his family are visiting from Missouri. There are no reports of injuries.

The incident started around 9:30 a.m. in the main corridor of the bustling marketplace. According to reports, the homeless woman walked over to the mother and child, said something to them, and then grabbed the boy.

Two employees from the Golden Gate Meat Company witnessed the struggle and raced to help the mother and child.

The suspect, a 33-year-old woman, was arrested by police. Her name has not been released.

SFPD Officer Robert Rueca praised the bystanders, "This is a great example of how citizens will act when they see something, and in this case they did something wonderful." While police would not urge anyone to put themselves in harm's way, in this case "they were able to act smart and act quickly and it was great," he said.

This is the second time in a week that bystanders have jumped into action to prevent tragedy. In Hayward last week, restaurant patrons stopped stopped a man from setting people on fire after pouring gasoline on them, according to police.

• Denny's Horror: Man Douses Hayward Restaurant Patrons With Gasoline, Tries To Start Fire, Police Say

-Image via Wikimedia Commons; Bay City News contributed to this report