CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — The Clearwater Police Department said a man was arrested on Friday and charged with kidnapping.

According to an arrest affidavit, Eric Butler, 43, was seen grabbing a 15-year-old female runaway in the parking lot of a Circle K located at 1501 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd., before attempting to pull her away.

The affidavit said the witness saw Butler grabbing the girl by her shoulders and hips, and bear-hugging her while she struggled.

As officers were dispatched to the scene, they said the witness was able to follow Butler and the girl to an area of Glen Oaks Park, where officers said the two had met on multiple prior occasions.

The witness intervened, and the girl was able to break away from Butler, who ran toward the park, where he was then apprehended by law enforcemen

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