Rodney Police investigating the attempted abduction of a 10 year old girl in the coastal suburb of Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa, early this afternoon describe the incident as sinister. The attempt happened at about 2.00pm.
Detective Mark PALMA says the young girl was walking in an easterly direction along Waiora Road, Stanmore Bay, when a black 4 x wheel drive vehicle pulled up ahead of her.
"As she walked past the vehicle, the male driver and sole occupant leapt out and grabbed the young victim. The man then attempted to force the 10 year old girl into the back seat."
"The victim has put up a determined struggle forcing the offender to give up. He has then driven off at speed in the direction of Brightside Road."
"An unknown middle aged male driving a blue coloured van may have prevented the girl's abduction. The van arrived just as the offender sped from the scene."
"The van driver spoke to the victim and asked her if she was okay. He also enquired if the girl knew the man who had been attempting for force her into his 4 x wheel drive vehicle."
"The victim has told Police she thinks the offender gave up his alleged abduction when he suddenly became aware that the unidentified van driver had seen her actively struggling."
"Police applaud the actions of the van driver. This man has noticed that something didn't look right and so he has stopped to check on the well being of the victim."
"We would like this person to contact us as he has not been identified. We believe he has valuable information which will assist us in locating this young girl's attacker."
Police have released a detailed description of the offender.
Male
Caucasian
Aged late 30's - early 40's
Height 180-185 cm - [5'8" - 6']
Black Hair - has some facial hair on his chin.
Clothing - wearing jeans, possibly blue,
- a black jacket with white writing on the sleeves
The 4 x wheel drive vehicle is described as:
Colour - Black or very dark navy
4 x wheel drive with tyre cover on rear of the vehicle.
Vehicle had distinctive red coloured silky looking seat cover.
No registration Number available.
"Someone in either the Rodney or Whangaparaoa Peninsula may know or has seen a vehicle of this description in their travels earlier today or over the recent holiday weekend."
"This young victim is a very brave and courageous girl. She has done everything right in resisting the offender's sinister attempts to force her into his vehicle. She is shaken by her ordeal," Detective PALMA said.
Police want anyone who was in the area of Waiora Road, Stanmore Bay, between 2.00pm - 2.15pm this afternoon and who may have seen this attempted abduction, or knows the identity of the male offender in the 4 x wheel vehicle to contact Detective Mark PALMA at Rodney CIB on telephone 09 427 4532.
Ends:
Kevin [Kev] Loughlin
District Communications Manager / Media Advisor
Waitemata Police District
12-14 Northcroft Street - Takapuna - Auckland
Phone 09 488 9758 - Extn 96308 - Mobile 027 281 0271
Email - kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz