Woman arrested for kidnapping 4-year-old in Santa Rosa

Late Thursday night Santa Rosa police revealed the arrest of a transient woman for the kidnapping of a four-year-old girl inside a Trader Joe's grocery store.

Officers were dispatched to 2100 Santa Rosa Avenue, in the Santa Rosa Marketplace, around 10:35 a.m.

Police said a woman later identified as 41-year-old Tina Szczepanek, who they described as a transient from Lake County, grabbed the girl and said "something to the effect of 'she is mine'" before walking out of the store with the child.

The victim's mother was at the checkout stand when the kidnapping occurred. She ran after Szczepanek, caught up with her roughly 30 feet from the store and yelled to put the child down. Szczepanek did as she was ordered and fled, walking into the parking lot, according to police.

Police found Szczepanek in the parking lot and arrested her on suspicion of kidnapping.

Police say the woman is a transient from Lake County.