SAN ANTONIO — The word kidnapping usually brings to mind dark, empty and quiet areas.

  • Happened at Target on TPC Parkway
  • Suspect was in dark four-door BMW
  • Victim says stranger tried to pull her into his car

But a San Antonio woman says a stranger tried to abduct her in broad daylight on Tuesday afternoon.  

Maria Rios said she pulled into the parking lot at a North Side Target off TPC Parkway on January 14 at around 2 p.m. She sat in her car for a couple of minutes to send texts. Then, she says a dark four-door BMW pulled up one space away from her.

Rio says the stranger called her “Kim” as Rios started walking towards the store.

Believing it to be a case of mistaken identity, Rios said she corrected the man to let him know she wasn’t named Kim.

Rios said the situation quickly turned dark when the stranger tried to get into the passenger side of her car.

“He’s like, ‘here get in,’ and I’m like, ‘no, I’m not getting in my car with you, like, I don’t know who you are,’” said Rios.

When Rios refused, she said the stranger grabbed her hand and tried to pull her into his car, all the while insisting that they knew each other.

“And I’m like ‘whoa, I have got to go, I am so sorry.’ I’m still being nice to him,” Rios said.

Rios said she yanked her hand away and went into the store, where she reported the incident to security. When she got home, she also filed a report with the San Antonio Police Department.

The department confirmed they have the incident on tape thanks to Target’s security cameras.

“Hopefully he’s not out there doing this to other women or young kids or little girls,” Rios said.

SAPD said in a statement its officers are working with the Austin Police Department. Official have a sketch of the suspect, but they’re not releasing it to the public right now.

“I’m very nice, like I’m very talkative and can make friends with just anyone and that can hurt you at one point,” Rios said. “It’s not always good to be like that.”

Rios plans to start carrying pepper spray and is even thinking about getting a gun.