Prosecutors: Good Samaritan thwarts kidnapping of girl

A Maywood man’s attempt to kidnap a 7-year-old girl was thwarted by a Good Samaritan who not only questioned the man but pulled the young girl from the stranger’s front seat, Cook County prosecutors said.

Marlon S. Ellis, of the 1500 block of South Ninth Street is charged with aggravated kidnapping for the Thursday morning incident outside a Family Dollar in the 1000 block of West Madison in Maywood.

Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. set bail at $1 million on Saturday.

Prosecutors said the young girl was approached by Ellis who asked her if she wanted a ride to school.

A witness outside the store saw what happened and asked the girl if she knew Ellis, prosecutors said. She said no. Ellis became angry that the man interfered, prosecutors said.

The witness went into the store to ask if anyone knew the girl.

When he came back, Ellis had already taken the girl into his car in his front seat.

The witness raced to the car and got the girl out before calling police, prosecutors said.

The store’s employees wrote down the license plate, which led police to Ellis.