Attempted Kidnapping, Indecent Exposure Arrest In Silver Spring

SILVER SPRING, MD — Officers from the Montgomery County Police Department charged a 37-year-old Silver Spring man with attempted child abduction of two boys under the age of ten and indecent exposure for an incident involving a 13-year-old female, police said. Jemberu Bekele Geda, of Lockwood Drive, was charged with one count of indecent exposure and two counts of attempted child abduction, police said.

At about 6:48 p.m. Sunday, April 16, police responded to the area of 11550 Stewart Ln. in White Oak for the report of an attempted child abduction that had just occurred. Investigation revealed that two male victims, eight and nine-year-old cousins, were playing at a neighborhood playground when Geda allegedly approached them. Geda grabbed the boys by their wrists and attempted to bring them into his apartment, police said. The boys told Geda that they did not want to go with him and Geda let go of their wrists. After being released, the boys fled to their nearby home where they immediately told a parent about the incident, police said.

Responding officers also learned that earlier that day, Geda had allegedly exposed himself to a 13-year-old female who lives in the neighborhood as well.

Responding officers located Geda at his home where he was positively identified as the same suspect who exposed himself to the female victim and who attempted to abduct the boys, police said. Geda was arrested, and later told officers he did not know any of the victims and that he grabbed the boys because he wanted them to come play in his apartment, police said.

Geda was transported to the Central Processing Unit, where he is held without bond.

Photo: Montgomery County Police Department