Story By: John Feng, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

Video Credit: AsiaWire

This is the terrifying moment a stranger snatches a toddler and runs off with the boy as the youngster’s older brother watches just inches away.

The suspected kidnapping in broad daylight happened in the town of Tangxia in Dongguan, a port city in China’s southern Guangdong Province often referred to as ‘China’s Silicon Valley’.

CCTV footage of the incident on 18th May shows the two brothers playing outside their parents’ restaurant when the suspect Liu, 30, suddenly sprints towards them.

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

Liu, who has only been identified by his surname, runs up to the older brother and grabs hold of the boy, but after a brief struggle he spots the younger three-year-old sibling and targets him instead.

He dashes over to the tot and picks him up before sprinting off into a nearby alley, leaving the shocked older brother giving chase.

According to Tangxia police, witnesses and neighbouring residents who heard the older sibling’s cries for help eventually intercepted the would-be kidnapper.

Footage of the incident shows Liu having been pinned to the ground by witnesses, with police arrive on scene later to make their arrest.

The authorities said in a statement that Liu became “emotionally unstable” following an argument with his family members.

He then picked up the three-year-old and attempted to run away, though his motives are still unclear.

The police said they suspected Liu suffered some sort of “mental breakdown”; however, they added he had no record of criminal activity or mental illness.

Further investigations are still ongoing.