Man Accused Of Pepper Spraying A Woman, Abducting Her Son At A Manassas Playground: Police

MANASSAS, VA — A man pepper sprayed a woman, burned her with a cigarette, and abducted her 3-year-old son at a Manassas playground on Tuesday, the Prince William County Police Department said.

A family member was able to take custody of the child at the playground; he was unharmed. The mother, who police identified as a 23-year-old woman, reported minor injuries, police said.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 27-year-old Abraham Cinto, Jr. He left the area after the family member took custody of the boy, and police have been unable to locate him.

Cinto is wanted on charges of abduction, assault with a caustic substance, assault and battery, and petit larceny. Police described Cinto as a Hispanic man who is about 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

If convicted of all charges, Cinto could face up to 17 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

The assault occurred around 9 p.m. on Tuesday at a playground in the 8300 block of Barret Drive in Manassas, the police department said. Authorities said the woman and her son were with an acquaintance, Cinto, when he took the woman's property during an argument. He then started to walk away with the boy.

The victim tried to get her son back from Cinto several times, but he stopped her each time, according to the police department. Investigators said he sprayed her with pepper spray, burned her with a cigarette, and grabbed her by the neck.

As officers responded, they learned that a family member of the victim found Cinto and the boy at the playground. The family member took custody of the boy, but Cinto fled before police arrived, authorities said.

Anyone with more information about Cinto's whereabouts can contact the police department's tipline at 703-792-7000. Tips can also be submitted online.