Stanton Man Eugene Rauch Charged With Attempted Kidnapping of Minor
Eugene Rauch, 67, of Stanton was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping of a minor after police said he grabbed a 12-year-old girl by the arm inside a Stanton grocery store on Tuesday WKYT reported.
Save-A-Lot Grocery Encounter
Stanton police officers arrived at the Save-A-Lot grocery store just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, according to an arrest citation. A 12-year-old girl told police that a man later identified as Rauch grabbed her arm and said, “You’re coming with me,” the citation said. Rauch then attempted to pull her toward the front door.
The girl escaped when a sign fell onto the ground from underneath a display table as she tried to pull away. The sudden disturbance caused Rauch to let go of her arm. Police later released surveillance footage from the store.
“Surveillance video from Save-A-Lot does not match Rauch’s story,” the citation said, adding that the footage shows Rauch grabbing the girl and pulling her toward the door.
Police Arrest Rauch and Hold Him for $500,000 Bond
Stanton police asked the public for help identifying the suspect in a Facebook post. Rauch contacted the police department after seeing the post and requested to speak with officers.
Rauch told police he believed the girl was his granddaughter. He said that he realized she was not his granddaughter, spoke with her, and apologized, maintaining that he did not touch her, according to the arrest citation. Police arrested Rauch late Tuesday night, and he is currently held at the Powell County Detention Center with bond set at $500,000.
When WKYT called the jail to speak with Rauch, he declined an interview.
Locals React as Officials Urge Parents to Educate Children
Earl Moore said that he has parked his car at the grocery store for several years to watch the day go by. He was at the location on Tuesday night when police vehicles pulled in, and he learned about the incident the following morning.
“[It’s] pretty quiet. A lot of people come in and out of the store, and you don’t have no grief out of nobody in the parking lot or in the store,” Moore told WKYT.
Powell County Judge-Executive Eddie Barnes urged parents to discuss safety measures with their children following the arrest.
“Educate your kids: what to do, what not to do. If ever in doubt, just start screaming danger, you know, stranger danger, stranger, danger,” Barnes said.