Background: A woman and her child at a park in Cullman County, Alabama (WBRC/YouTube). Inset left to right: Andrei Anatolyahch Gouchtchine, Robert Lee Hollis (Cullman County Sheriff’s Office).
Like something from a horror film, two men in Alabama are accused of kidnapping after police say they tried to lure young children from a public park with ice cream cones.
Robert Lee Hollis, 46, and Andrei Anatolyahch Gouchtchine, 37, were arrested on Aug. 4 after Cullman County Sheriff’s deputies were called in response to a complaint coming from Sportsman Lake Park, a sprawling public park and playground in suburban Cullman, some 50 miles north of Birmingham.
“The two individuals were watching and following children around inside the park. They allegedly attempted to use ice cream cones in an attempt to lure children away with them,” police told Law&Crime in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
Local ABC affiliate WBMA reported that it was allegedly Hollis who purchased ice cream from a concession stand at the park before trying to get minor girls he purchased it for to come to him and get into his car.
Gouchtchine was reportedly waiting in the car while Hollis attempted to ensnare children.
Both men are currently detained without bond at the Cullman County Jail.
Hollis and Gouchtchine are charged with second-degree kidnapping.
It is unclear if they have retained an attorney.
An investigation is ongoing, according to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.
A review of publicly available court records shows that both Hollis and Gouchtchine have a checkered past: Gouchtchine has been arrested multiple times including on allegations of theft and burglary and possession of a controlled substance.
Hollis has a history of arrests for possession and distribution of controlled substances as well as forgery.
After the arrests on Sunday, Allie Buchanan, a program supervisor for adults with disabilities, spoke to local Fox affiliate WBRC and said as a native to Cullman, this nightmare scenario was one she had never experienced growing up or could ever imagine coming to pass when she was young.
“I’ve lived here my whole life … and when I was a kid, I never felt worried but now, kids that are growing up now? Their parents have to be like helicopter moms and that’s scary,” Buchanan said.
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