NYPD detectives have arrested a woman accused of trying to snatch a 2-year-old boy from his mother as she did laundry inside her Bronx apartment building, police said Friday.
“Give me the kid!” Darlyn Thomas screamed as she tried to take the child during the harrowing Tuesday evening clash inside the building on E. 180th St. near Vyse Ave. in West Farms, about two blocks from the Bronx Zoo.
The building is located inside NYCHA’s Lambert Houses development, cops said.
The 23-year-old mother was bringing her son into the building’s laundry room at around 6:50 p.m. when Thomas allegedly followed her into the room, grabbed her by the arm and demanded she hand over the child.
The mom was able to break free from the stranger and run off with her son, cops said. No injuries were reported.
The woman took the elevator to the 12th floor and disappeared.
The NYPD released surveillance images of the woman, who was quickly recognized as Thomas and also lives in the building, cops said.
Police arrested Thomas, 32, Thursday evening and charged her with attempted kidnapping in the second degree.
Her arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court was pending Friday.
