PINE TWP, Mercer County — A Grove City man is charged with unlawful restraint of a minor and simple assault after he allegedly pulled a 9-year-old boy into a restroom stall in a Walmart store.

Shawn M. Miller, 27, was arrested this morning by state police in Mercer following the alleged incident in the Walmart on West Main Street that occurred Thursday.

Police said Miller watched a father and his two boys enter the store’s restroom about 4:30 p.m.

Miller waited outside the restroom until the father exited with his 6-year-old son. Miller then entered the restroom where the 9-year-old boy was still washing his hands.

Miller grabbed the boy by the wrist and pulled him into a stall and shut the door. The boy was able to free himself and leave the stall, but was again grabbed by Miller, police said.

When the boy began screaming for his father, Miller let him go.

Miller fled through the front entrance and ran on foot to the wooded area behind the store.

He was able to elude a search by state police and Grove City police following the incident, but was later identified and arrested the today.