Kidnapping suspect arrested in Buellton
A 56-year-old man was arrested Tuesday, accused of trying to take a 2-year-old child from a grocery store in Buellton last week.
On Wednesday, Aug. 7, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Albertsons at 222 E. Highway 246 in Buellton at around 4:45 p.m. to investigate a report of an attempted kidnapping.
Sheriff’s officials say a man removed a 2-year-old child from inside a shopping cart and started walking to the exit of the store. The child’s parent, who was visibly upset over the incident, stopped the man before he could leave the store and the man left the area.
On Tuesday, at around 7:15 p.m. sheriff’s deputies arrested 56-year-old William “Bill” Henderson, the owner of a local transportation business. Henderson was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on suspicion of kidnapping and misdemeanor child endangerment. His bail was set at $100,000.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is asking for any possible witnesses to come forward as there might be other incidents involving Henderson that have yet to be reported.
If you witnessed the incident on August 7, or have information related to the investigation, you are urged to call the City of Buellton Sheriff’s Station at 805-686-8150. You can leave an anonymous tip by calling 805-681-4171, or using the sheriff’s department website.
Henderson posted bail Wednesday, and told our newsroom that he is innocent and he has hired an attorney.
