Parents Stop Attempted Kidnapping of 6-Year-Old Boy in Crowded Coney Island

A terrifying moment unfolded on the evening of Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Coney Island, when a man allegedly tried to kidnap a 6-year-old boy in front of stunned crowds during a busy holiday weekend. Thanks to the swift action of the child's parents, the boy was rescued, and the suspect is now in custody facing serious charges.

As families strolled the boardwalk enjoying the warm summer night, Roy Gantt and Sharon Robinson were walking with their young son, Rah'Shem Gantt, and his toddler sister. The family had stopped to buy popcorn when a man, dressed entirely in black and wearing a tall hat, approached them without warning. In an instant, he grabbed Rah'Shem and began to walk away, carrying the child in his arms.

The frightening incident was caught on video, showing the man only taking a few steps before realizing the parents were in pursuit. He then threw the child to the ground, causing Rah'Shem to hit the pavement hard.

“When I turned around, I noticed a man pick him up and run by way of the boardwalk,” Roy Gantt said. “Once he saw us chasing him, he threw Rah’Sheem down. It sounded like he hit his head on the concrete.”

Without hesitation, Gantt and Robinson gave chase. They managed to tackle the suspect and restrain him for approximately four minutes until police arrived. Several bystanders who witnessed the incident stayed behind with the crying boy and his little sister while the parents apprehended the man.

“That was someone who attempted to kidnap my son, then assaulted him,” Gantt added. “It was scary,” said young Rah'Shem, still shaken from the ordeal.

According to the parents, when officers first arrived on the scene, there was confusion. “The cops came and thought we were jumping on somebody for no reason,” Gantt said. “We had ten, 15 people come up and vouch for us.”

“I had my foot on his chest to hold him down. I didn’t have the heart to stomp him,” Robinson said, emphasizing her desire for justice over revenge. “Violence is not my way.”

The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Jonathan Robalino, has been charged with attempted kidnapping and assault. Authorities confirmed he has had previous encounters with law enforcement and remains in police custody.

Nearby witnesses described the scene as chaotic and deeply disturbing. “It was just shocking,” said Nora Smiles, a bystander. “I’m a mother myself, so we all ran over to see what was happening.”

Rah’Sheem was taken to Coney Island Hospital, where he was evaluated and found to be physically unharmed. But the emotional trauma may linger. According to his father, the family is deeply shaken, and Rah’Sheem has already expressed a desire never to return to Coney Island.

What began as a peaceful night by the sea ended in fear—but also in courage, as two parents fought to protect their child and brought a dangerous situation to a halt.