15-year-old abducted by man at gas station, but witnesses save her, FL cops say
A 15-year-old girl was kidnapped by a man from a Circle K gas station in Florida, where witnesses saw him grabbing her and went to intervene, authorities say.
Erik Ricardo Butler, 43, was seen pulling the girl “against her will” and “bear-hugging her when she tried to get away” in the parking lot of the gas station in Clearwater the evening of Oct. 10, according to an arrest affidavit shared with McClatchy News by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. The girl’s age was reported by other news outlets.
Butler took the teen to the area of Glen Oaks Park as witnesses followed, the affidavit says.
Then they rescued her, leading to Butler fleeing into the park, according to the affidavit, which says he was then arrested.
He was found to have drug paraphernalia and trace amounts of cocaine, according to authorities.
Butler, who lives in Clearwater , is now charged with kidnapping and other offenses, the affidavit shows.
Information on whether he has legal representation was not immediately available.
After the girl was rescued, she told authorities that Butler offered her drugs on Oct. 10 and appeared to be under the influence, the affidavit says.
According to authorities, she was familiar with Butler and had encountered him at Glen Oaks Park on prior occasions.
She also reported Butler “previously tried to commit illegal sexual acts and/or tried to have (her) engage in narcotics use,” the affidavit says.
Following Butler’s arrest, Butler denied accusations against him, according to authorities.
While in custody and outside on a public sidewalk, another affidavit says Butler repeatedly exposed his genitalia, “in full view,” of a school for grades pre-K through eighth grade.
He resisted officers’ attempts to dress him, leading to officers picking him up and carrying him into a patrol car, according to the affidavit.
Butler is also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of cocaine, exposure of sexual organs and resisting an officer, affidavits show.
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM with the headline "15-year-old abducted by man at gas station, but witnesses save her, FL cops say."
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