Cornelius, OR – A Washington County man has been arrested and formally indicted following an alleged attempted kidnapping inside a Cornelius Walmart last month that left a father injured during a confrontation.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and officers from Cornelius, Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Forest Grove responded around 7:48 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2025, to a reported attempted kidnapping at the Walmart located at 220 N. Adair Street in Cornelius.
Investigators say the suspect allegedly attempted to remove a child from a stroller inside the store. The child’s father intervened, stopping the attempt but suffering injuries during a physical struggle. Police said the suspect allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket during the confrontation but dropped it before fleeing the scene.
Before deputies arrived, witnesses reported that the suspect ran from the store and left in a white Jeep. A witness was able to provide the vehicle’s license plate number, which led officers to identify the registered owner as 37-year-old Denis Villalobos of Cornelius.
Villalobos was located a short distance from the Walmart and arrested by a Forest Grove police officer. He was later lodged in the Washington County Jail, authorities said.
On December 29, 2025, a Washington County grand jury reviewed evidence in the case and issued an indictment charging Villalobos with attempted kidnapping in the second degree, assault in the second degree, assault in the fourth degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken with investigators to contact the Cornelius Police Department’s non-emergency dispatch line at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 57-25-1325.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
