An Ohio man was arrested in Columbiana County for attempting to abduct an 11-year-old boy in Alliance. The suspect, identified as Joshua Freyermuth, 39, was apprehended on a warrant for attempted kidnapping. According to Alliance Police, Freyermuth was found wearing a blonde wig, makeup, and pearls at the time of his arrest.
Reports indicate that Freyermuth, who also goes by the name Vicky, approached the child outside his home on South Webb Avenue and tried to lure him away from his property by saying, 'I need to talk to you.' When the boy refused, Freyermuth allegedly attempted to grab him. Fortunately, the child was able to escape unharmed.
During a court appearance, Freyermuth denied the allegations, claiming he was not present at the scene and did not kidnap anyone. However, the child's father, Zachery Thurmond, stated that his dog intervened when Freyermuth grabbed his son's arm, causing the suspect to retreat.
Freyermuth's bond has been set at $100,000, and he is prohibited from contacting the victim. In addition to the attempted kidnapping charge, Freyermuth was also arrested on Friday for drug possession. He was released on bond for that incident but is scheduled to appear in court again on Monday.
The investigation into the attempted abduction is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The child's quick thinking and the intervention of the family dog played a crucial role in preventing a potentially dangerous situation from escalating further.
