Police: Arrest in Attempted Abduction at Potomac Mills

A suspect was arrested Tuesday in regards to an attempted abduction at Potomac Mills Mall in March, according to Prince William County Police.

Victor Alberto Serrano, 33, of no fixed address, is charged with abduction with intent to defile and strangulation. He is being held without bond.

Police responded to the parking lot at Potomac Mills Circle and Nazarene Way at 9:29 p.m. March 20. The victim, 34, told police that she was standing next to her car after getting off of work when a man approached her and asked for directions.

He then allegedly grabbed the victim and began choking her, according to police. In a struggle, the victim and suspect fell to the ground as he continued to choke her.

The man demanded the victim’s car keys and tried to force her into the backseat of the car before he eventually fled on foot. The victim had minor injuries.

Detectives from the Special Victims Unit were able to identify the suspect after DNA evidence collected at the scene was analyzed, according to a police release. Officers located Serrano on Tuesday on Golansky Boulevard, where he was detained without incident.