Aunt helps 7-year-old fight kidnapper in Macomb County

STERLING HEIGHTS, Michigan. – Charges have been filed against Endi Bala, the man suspected of attempting to kidnap two girls in two separate incidents.

The incident occurred on Tuesday (13 August) at around 2.20pm in Riverland Park in Sterling Heights when the 7-year-old girl called her aunt Alecia for help.

“I couldn't let her go,” Alecia said. “I just couldn't let her go.”

The incident was recorded on a surveillance camera video when Bala was Shelby Townshipwho is accused not only of attempting to kidnap the 7-year-old girl, but also of attempting to kidnap a 15-year-old on the same day in Clinton Community.

Alecia said she jumped through the driver's side window to grab the steering wheel and Bala to fight him off.

“He was screaming and I could hear him saying, 'Let go, let go, let go,'” the aunt said. “His speech was very broken. At the end he said something else, but I kept telling her (the seven-year-old) to go, not to give up and thank God we were so connected and she fought for her life.”

Alecia was roller skating when the kidnapping attempt occurred, but she was too determined to help her niece escape.

“When I saw him coming toward her, I started running and praying I wouldn't fall. Then I jumped through the driver's window,” Alecia said. “He grabbed her, threw her into the passenger side and tried to climb over her. We were both fighting for the steering wheel. I wrapped my arms as far in as I could so I wouldn't fall out of the car because I just didn't know what was happening and I couldn't let go of her.”

Bala was officially charged in court on Thursday afternoon..

Alecia said her 8-year-old son was with her and sat in front of the car during the abduction. Officials said he was injured when the car struck him as he tried to save his cousin.

You can watch the full Sterling Heights arraignment below..