A Louisiana man is behind bars after police say he attempted to kidnap two children from a Kenner Walmart store on Friday.
According to a press release by the Kenner Police Department, Billy Yoe Budier-Herrera, 33, of Metairie, allegedly entered the Walmart off of Veterans Avenue at around 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon while carrying a backpack. He reportedly approached a woman who was grocery shopping with her 2-year-old seated in the grocery cart. The woman noticed Budier-Herrera and tried to walk away, but the suspect block her and warned her to obey him, while reaching for the handle of a machete by his waist.
The suspect told the victim that her child would die if she refused to obey him, and as she screamed out for a store employee to help, Budier-Herrera attempted to pull the toddler from the grocery cart. The mother grabbed her child and a struggle began until employees ran toward the suspect. Budier-Herrera fled the area, but abruptly stopped and turned to fave the employees after he pulled out the machete. As the employees backed off, the suspect started running toward the exit.
Before he reached the exit, the suspect spotted an infant strapped to a carseat in a grocery cart. He stopped and tried to grab the baby, but the straps prevented him from taking the infant before store employees tackled him down and held him for police.
When authorities arrived, they detained the suspect and while searching him, found a homemade shiv and pepper spray. He was then arrested and booked into the Kenner County jail. There is no known relationship between the suspect and the victims.
Yoe Budier-Herrera was arrested and charged with an immigration detainer, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of kidnapping, one count of illegal weapons, and two counts of disturbing the peace. The motive is still unknown. The suspect remains behind bars without bail.
Anyone who witnessed the event is urged to contact Sergeant Jeff Adams at (504) 712-2310, Kenner Police Detective Vincent Miranti at (504) 712-2330, or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.
[Feature Photo: Billy Yoe Budier-Herrera/Kenner Police Department]
