Authorities say mom stopped man who tried to abduct child; suspect later pleaded to lesser charge

ASHBURN, Va. - New details have been released in what authorities called an attempted kidnapping of a 3‑year‑old girl in Loudoun County, an incident that unfolded inside a restaurant with the child’s mother standing nearby. The man arrested in the case later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and has since had his record expunged, according to updated case information.

The suspect was identified as 34‑year‑old Shane Paul Bergeron of Jefferson, Georgia. He was initially charged with abduction by force. Bergeron did not appear to have a criminal record at the time, making the incident more surprising to some residents.

According to court documents, the attempted kidnapping happened around 7:30 p.m. Sunday inside a Mexican restaurant at Loudoun Station. Detectives say Bergeron grabbed the girl, who was standing next to her mother, and carried her toward the front door. The mother forcibly pulled her daughter from his arms, and an employee called 911. Bergeron was arrested a short time later at a nearby hotel.

Residents expressed concern after learning about the incident, with some saying they were shocked something like this happened in an area known for low crime.

Bergeron worked as a project manager for a Colorado‑based company specializing in low‑voltage IT work at data centers. He told the court he works in Atlanta, though the company has an office in Ashburn. It is unclear whether he was in the area for work.

Authorities say the attempted kidnapping was captured on a security camera inside the restaurant. The owner said the Sheriff’s Office asked her not to release the video.

Bergeron was initially held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center, with a court date set for April 4. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser offense, and his records were subsequently expunged.

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