Horror moment woman grabbed in attempted kidnapping

Chilling CCTV footage has captured the moment an innocent woman in Melbourne’s west being grabbed and dragged in a kidnapping attempt described as “every woman’s worst nightmare”.

Chilling CCTV footage has captured the moment an innocent woman was grabbed and dragged in a kidnapping attempt described as “every woman’s worst nightmare”.

Piercing screams were heard as the young woman was set upon after exiting a bus near the intersection of Thames and Melpomene boulevards in Tarneit about 9.15pm Wednesday.

Security camera footage shows the alleged offender grabbing the 20-year-old victim from behind and attempting to drag her away.

Her distressed screams were enough for the young alleged offender to flee south along Thames Boulevard.

CCTV footage has captured the moment an innocent woman was grabbed and dragged in a kidnapping attempt. Picture: Victoria Police

The woman’s stressed screams were enough for the young alleged offender to flee south along Thames Boulevard. Picture: Victoria Police

Detectives say the age of the alleged offender appears to range from 16 to his early 20s.

Westgate SOCIT Detective Sergeant Sean Nicholson said it was unclear what the man’s motive was.

He said the victim was unable to determine many distinguished features of the man as it happened so quickly.

“It’s disturbing. It’s probably every woman’s worst nightmare,” he said on Saturday.

“Her reaction really unsettled the offender and caused him to run straight away.”

Detective Sgt Nicholson said the victim, who was not physically injured, remains completely unsettled and shaken.

Investigators released CCTV showing the man grab the victim. Picture: Victoria Police

“(She is) extremely distraught and distressed,” he added.

“She was very brave in her reactions and very quick and prompt, which, no doubt, saved anything further from happening.”

Detectives say the offender’s age could range from as young as 16 to his early 20s.

They believe he may be a local boy and are tipping he would be “anxious” around his family and friends.

Detectives will probe whether the offender had been stalking the young woman. Picture: Victoria Police

The offender, about 160cm to 165cm tall with a slim build and short, dark hair, was not known to the victim.

One line of inquiry will be whether the offender had been stalking the young woman.

“It is young for this type of brazen offending,” he added.

“We believe this to be a local offender. This could be someone in the family that you know, or a friend that you know, whose behaviour in the last few days may be quite anxious or scattered and bizarre.”

Detective Sergeant Sean Nicholson says the victim remains completely unsettled.

It is the latest in a string of attempted kidnapping attempts across the suburbs but police are stressing Wednesday’s attempt was “isolated”.

“We’ve had no other reports of similar offending (in the area),” Detective Sgt Nicholson added.

“At this stage, it’s isolated.”

Detectives are also keen to speak to the driver of a dark-coloured four-wheel drive who may have witnessed the incident.

Originally published as Horror moment woman grabbed in attempted kidnapping