Man Admits Trying to Kidnap Girl at Binghamton Price Chopper

A Binghamton man has admitted to trying to kidnap an 8-year-old girl at a Price Chopper supermarket in what prosecutors said was a "sexually-motivated" crime.

37-year-old Donald Beetlestone pleaded guilty in Broome County Court to second-degree attempted kidnapping.

Beetlestone attempted to abduct the girl shortly after 6 p.m. August 1. She had been shopping with her mother in the Price Chopper store on Glenwood Avenue.

Investigators said the man approached the child and struck her with a bottle when she was alone in the produce section.

According to prosecutors, Beetlestone dragged the girl through the store "in an effort to locate a secluded area where he intended to further assault her."

A woman who works for Price Chopper heard the struggle and intervened, trying to stop Beetlestone. She and other shoppers struggled with the man until he was subdued and restrained until police arrived.

As part of his plea deal, Beetlestone is be sentenced to ten years in state prison followed by a decade of post-release supervision. He will be required to register as a sex offender when he is released.

Sentencing has been scheduled for January 14.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.