BINGHAMTON, NY (607NewsNow) — A Binghamton man has pleaded guilty to attempted abduction.
Prosecutors say 37-year-old Donald Beetlestone tried taking a young girl from the Price Chopper on Glenwood Avenue in Binghamton on August 1. Beetlestone is accused of assaulting the child in the store and dragging her to a secluded area before the store manager and others stopped him.
“This defendant attempted a horrific act of violence against a child, and it was only through the brave actions of bystanders, store employees and the swift response from the Binghamton Police Department that a greater tragedy was prevented,” District Attorney F. Paul Battisti said. “My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who seek to harm the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Beetlestone pleaded guilty Thursday, Oct. 9 to attempted kidnapping and will spend 10 years in state prison.
