Reese Hartstirn is charged with felony counts of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery of a child

A woman and her 8-year-old daughter had a frightening experience at a Jason’s Deli near Chicago last Saturday when a man allegedly choked the girl in the bathroom.

According to the Chicago Police, the mother allowed the 8-year-old daughter to go to the restroom by herself at about 1:15 in the afternoon.

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The woman then heard a scream and ran into the bathroom. There, according to a police press release, she saw a terrifying scene: 33-year-old Reese M. Hartstirn carrying the unconscious girl into a stall. Police allege that he had choked her with his hands until she lost consciousness.

After the mother rescued her daughter, other customers held Hartstirn until police arrived.

In a statement to WGN, Jason’s Deli praised their employees and customers for pitching in to help.

“We re blessed to have a wonderful relationship with the Chicago Police Department,” the statement reads. “Many of them are our customers and because of their connection to our deli, this unfortunate situation was handled very quickly. We re proud of how our team members responded and thankful that we have the kind of customers that are willing to lend a hand in a difficult situation. We continue to work hard every day to make every customer happy.”

Hartstirn has been charged with felony counts of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery of a child. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of battery and aggravated assault of a peace officer after police say he took a swing at the booking officer.