A homeless man, wearing a blonde wig, makeup, and pearls, has been accused of attempting to kidnap an 11-year-old boy outside his home in Alliance, Ohio. Joshua Freyermuth, 39, allegedly approached the boy and tried to lure him away, saying, “I need to talk to you.” The boy refused, and when Freyermuth attempted to grab him, the family’s dog intervened, allowing the boy to escape.

The boy’s father, Zachery Thurmond, chased the suspect, who fled after kicking off his white high heels. Freyermuth, also known as Vicky, was arrested on attempted kidnapping charges. During his arraignment, Freyermuth, still in the blonde wig, denied the accusations, claiming he was elsewhere at the time.

Police noted social media outrage over the case and suggested Freyermuth’s arrest may have prevented vigilante actions. His bond was set at $100,000, with orders for no contact with the alleged victim.

Freyermuth had been arrested just days earlier for drug possession after police found methamphetamine in his car following complaints of him trying to speak with children. The investigation remains ongoing.