Police hunt for man who allegedly assaulted, tried to kidnap 19-year-old in Wollongong
Police have today released more details about the terrifying ordeal, urging anyone with information about this incident or anything similar to contact local police.
Illawarra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illawarra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Recording captures carer’s alleged verbal tirade on dementia patient
- Woman left ‘terrified’ after man’s alleged sexual comments
Police are on the hunt for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted and tried to kidnap a young woman on her way home from a night out in Wollongong earlier this year.
Police have today released terrifying details of the alleged incident, which occurred around 2am on April 7 in North Wollongong.
The 19-year-old woman was walking home from a night out with her friends in the Wollongong CBD, when a man driving a silver sedan allegedly approached her on Station Street, near North Wollongong train station, and tried to drag her into his vehicle.
The man allegedly touched the woman sexually, before grabbing her and attempted to pull her into his car.
The young woman was able to fight back, punching the man in the face and running to safety.
On Wednesday, Wollongong Police District acting inspector Dave Parker said the young woman did not know the man who allegedly assaulted, and tried to kidnap her.
“After the attack the offender did say to the woman that it was case of mistake identity before running off,” he said.
Inspector Parker said the incident was “extremely concerning” and appealed to the public for any information about the situation.
“If this type of activity is going on, it’s obviously putting people at risk … We are concerned that if this person is in the community, then it is someone we need to apprehend to deal with,” he said.
Inspector Parker said the incident was “extremely traumatising” for the young woman, and urged any witnesses or victims of similar situations to come forward.
The man is described as being of tanned appearance with prominent eyebrows and a bald head. He is believed to be aged between 25 and 40-year-old and was approximately 175cm tall.
Following the unprovoked and frightening situation, Inspector Parker urged both men and women to be careful on a night out.
“Practice safety, if you are walking home, try and walk in numbers, try not to be in isolated areas at late times of the night and just be mindful of your safety,” he said.
The young woman was captured on CCTV footage moments prior to the incident, talking on the phone as she walked down the street.
Inspector Parker urged anyone with information about this incident or anything similar to contact local police.
“This matter is being investigated by Wollongong detectives,” he said. “There’s numerous lines of inquiry progressing.”