A suspect was arrested Saturday evening in the attempted abduction of an 8-year-old near the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
Ralph Grohs, 57, was taken into custody without incident at about 5 p.m., according to Lafayette Police officials.
Grohs was found at the library. He was booked into Contra Costa County jail in Martinez on charges of attempted kidnapping as well as a parole violation, authorities said.
Grohs is a transient who frequents the Lafayette area, according to police.
The attempted abduction happened around 11:30 a.m. Saturday when a man on Golden Gate Way near the library tried to grab the child.
The child's parent took the child to safety and reported the incident to police.
The suspect was described as a "disheveled" man who is roughly 60 years old with gray hair, a pockmarked face and possible mental health issues.
Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
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