A German man has been arrested in Fuengirola after allegedly trying to snatch a 19-month-old boy from his mother’s arms in broad daylight.

The terrifying incident unfolded at around 3.30pm on Sunday on Calle Pintor Nogales, a bustling commercial street in the heart of the Costa del Sol resort.

According to Policia Nacional sources cited by La Opinion de Malaga, the suspect lunged at the woman and attempted to wrestle the toddler from her while she was walking with family and friends.

The child was unharmed thanks to the intervention of two off-duty officers who happened to be accompanying the family at the time.

The mother later filed a formal complaint with police.

Investigators say the woman had briefly stepped away from the rest of her group while playing with her son when she noticed an unknown man staring intently at the child.

Feeling uneasy, she picked up the boy and attempted to quickly return to her husband and friends.

However, before she could rejoin them, the suspect allegedly rushed towards her and began struggling with her in what police believe was a clear attempt to take the child from her arms.

The woman resisted and shouted for help, prompting her companions to rush to her aid.

Among them were two off-duty Policia Nacional officers based in Malaga city.

Police say the suspect, a German national, continued resisting even after the officers identified themselves.

The pair eventually managed to restrain and arrest him until uniformed officers arrived at the scene.

Authorities have not yet revealed what the suspect’s intentions were or whether he knew the family.

The incident has reignited memories of another alleged child abduction attempt in Fuengirola just three months ago.

In March, a 45-year-old Finnish man was arrested after allegedly trying to take a five-year-old girl from the town’s weekly market while her father was working at a stall.

Relatives noticed the stranger attempting to lead the child away and raised the alarm, with several members of the public helping to stop him before police arrived.

A court later released the suspect on provisional bail while he remained under investigation for attempted illegal detention.

He was banned from living in Fuengirola or neighbouring Mijas and ordered to stay at least 500 metres away from the child.