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St. Johns deputies trying to ID man who reportedly followed mom, 2-year-old daughter around Publix

Deputies say when she entered the checkout line, he exited the store and waited for her outside. He then reportedly followed her to her car.

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office is asking for help in identifying the man who reportedly followed a woman and her 2-year-old daughter around a Publix.

The man was caught on video following the woman and her daughter the Publix on State Road 13 without purchasing anything on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Deputies say when she entered the checkout line, he exited the store and waited for her outside. He then reportedly followed her to her car.

The woman told deputies she was able to hide from the man and quickly went back into the store to notify employees.

"He started following me all the way to my car and that's when I was literally hiding behind cars, ducking behind windows, watching him go 'Where is she' kind of thing," she said. "Then I went back into the store."

When she returned back to the parking lot, the man was gone, she said.

On Your Side's Crime and Safety Analyst Mark Baughman spoke about the incident, giving tips to people who may find themselves in similar situations.

  • Always keep children in eyesight, even in places that may be familiar.
  • Listen in on conversations your child may be having with a stranger.
  • If you feel you are being followed, do not hesitate to alert store authorities.
  • Do not go into the parking lot if you feel the suspicious person is nearby.

"Don't go out, come back in. Or immediately report it to somebody that's standing there," Baughman said. "Wait till you're with somebody. If it's a grocery store, you walk out with somebody that's maybe there helping people with groceries in and out or collecting carts."

Deputies say if you can identify the man or know his whereabouts, call Detective Alexander at 904-295-3440 or email him at calaxander@sjso.org. You could also call Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS.

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