Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Worner, Metro Crime Squads
Christchurch Police are appealing for information following reports of two attempted abductions in the Christchurch City area this morning.
We are speaking to a man in relation to the incidents.
The first incident occurred around 5.30am this morning. Witnesses have told Police a man confronted a woman at her car in the Jellie Park Recreation and Sports Centre main carpark on Ilam Road.
The man then fled on a bicycle heading through Jellie Park past the swimming complex and onto Greers Road.
The second incident occurred at around 5.50am, when the same man tried to abduct a woman jogger at the entrance to Ray Blank Park on Maidstone Road, Ilam.
The woman fought off the man and a member of the public driving past stopped to help her.
The man got back on his bicycle and rode off down Maidstone Road towards Avonhead.
A member of the public followed him in their car and saw him ride into a cul-de-sac street nearby.
Police are yet to speak with this witness and encourage them to ring Canterbury Police on 03 363 7400 immediately.
Police went to the address, and located the man who is now in custody.
Both victims have been spoken to and we are ensuring they are given the support they need.
We would really like to thank the member of the public who stopped to help the second victim.
Christchurch Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed either incident and encourage them to ring Christchurch Police immediately on 03 363 7400.
We ask these people to contact us right away, their assistance this morning has been invaluable.
It’s important to remember that people should be alert, not alarmed following these incidents. As the alleged offender is talking to Police we are confident the public has no reason to be concerned.
If you see a crime happening call 111 immediately.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre