Suspect In Eastern PA Abduction Incident In Custody: Police

WILLOW GROVE, PA — One person is in custody after Abington Township Police reported an attempted abduction of a teenage girl at the Willow Grove Park Mall Wednesday.

Police said the incident occurred at about 7 p.m. Wednesday at the mall.

A 14-year-old girl was going from the mall's second floor to the first floor on the escalator when a man who identified himself as "Alex" approached her, according to police.

That man has been identified as Khalil Evans, 44, of Philadelphia.

Evans is charged with felony false imprisonment of a minor and harassment, court records show.

Authorities said Evans is on probation in Philadelphia.

More charges could be filed, police said.

He was taken into custody after authorities identified Evans as the suspect and cased neighborhoods, his known hangouts, family members' homes, and more locations all day Thursday.

Authorities said they believe that led Evans to contact his lawyer and turn himself in.

Police said Evans has a 28-page rap sheet including weapons offenses, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, eluding police, and more.

Evans asked the girl to walk with him and extended his arm in an apparent attempt to escort her, police said.

She told Evans she was underage and tried to walk away from him, but when she did, he grabbed her arm and led her across the mall, police said.

She was later able to escape Evans and scream, which led bystanders to step in and prevent Evans from reaching the girl again, police said.

"This is the type of crime that makes the hair on your back stand up," Abington Police Chief Patrick Malloy said Thursday at a news conference.

According to police, Evans was apparently working with another man, both of whom left after the incident with the 14-year-old girl.

The other man is not facing charges yet, police said.

His role is not known yet, police said Thursday.

Police said numerous people provided them with tips about Evans approaching other young women at the Willow Grove Park Mall and possibly other locations in the Delaware Valley.

Abington Police thanked the United States Marshals Service and Philadelphia Police for their assistance in the investigation.