Foreigner Accused Of AttemptingTo Kidnap Child in Verulam

A 38 year old Ethopian national was apprehended after he attempted to lure an 11 year old girl towards his vehicle in what is believed to be an attempt to kidnap her at a service station on Ireland Street in the Verulam CBD today (Friday).

At approximately 15:19 members of Reaction Unit South Africa were called out to the business after receiving a call from the child's mother requesting assistance after her two nephews managed to apprehend the male. Upon arrival Reaction Officers were informed that the family had purchased refreshments from the shop at the service station.

As they exited the store the suspect caught the child's attention and gestured for her to follow him to an Isuzu bakkie that was parked on the premises. Her mother confronted him when he fled on foot into a bush across the service station. He was pursued by the girls two cousins who managed to apprehend him.

During an interview the suspect informed Reaction Officers that he owned a supermarket in Verulam and he had hired the bakkie to purchase stock for his business. He went on to explain that he had also stopped at the garage to purchase refreshments.

He could not explain why he had fled when he was confronted leaving the bakkie and driver behind. He was found in possession of a large amount of cash. The mother of the child was adamant that the suspect had attempted to lure her daughter into the vehicle in an attempt to kidnap her.

The suspect was handed over to the Verulam SAPS for further investigation. He was later released by Police without charge.

RUSA has posted this incident in the interest of public safety.