Hamilton Police investigating the attempted abduction of a teenage girl in the west of the City overnight are appealing for information from the public to help locate the offender.
Detective Sergeant Neville Ross of the Hamilton CIB said the 15-year-old Caucasian girl was walking in the Aberfoyle St area between 6-7pm when she was approached by a man driving a black 4x4 Toyota utility.
"The driver has followed her in his ute, telling her to get into the vehicle and tried to grab her while she was at the bus stop at the Avalon Dr end of Ellicott Rd.
"The girl fled, heading towards her Ranui St home but the driver got out of his vehicle and chased her on foot, fortunately the girl lost her pursuer in the school grounds off Michael Ave."
Mr Ross said it was important Police located the man before he attacked anyone else.
"The offender is described as a male Maori or Pacific Islander of muscular build, about 182cm tall and he was wearing a black or dark hoodie, with a white beanie underneath and black skin tight jeans.
"The girl thought the offender looked to be aged in his mid-twenties and had a solid, muscular build, she got the impression he may have been a builder or someone in a similar industry."
The man's vehicle is described as a black, double cab, well-side utility with bull-bars in the front, large tyres, electric front door windows, all round tinted windows with a torneau (black plastic) cover over its tray.
Mr Ross said it was crucial anyone with information came forward to prevent further incidents.
"Understandably for the victim she was concentrating on getting away, we believe the public hold the key in identifying this man's vehicle which will lead us to him to prevent a repeat of such behavior."
Anyone with any information on the vehicle's location or the identity of the offender is asked to contact Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene at the Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 858 6200.
Alternatively information can be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers crimeline, 0800 555111.
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