A young boy managed to avoid being kidnapped by throwing his basketball at a man who attempted to grab him at a bus stop in Berwick.
Police believe the 11-year-old boy was was walking his dog through a park towards Bournevale Drive, Berwick, about 5.30pm last week Tuesday.
Just before the boy entered the park, he noticed a white van do a U-turn in front of him, a police spokeswoman said. The child continued to walk and sat at the bus stop on the northern side of Bournevale Drive, near the intersection of Queens Court.
The white van pulled up in front of the bus stop and a man got out, opened the sliding door of the car, and asked the young boy if he wanted to pat a black Labrador inside the van.
The boy backed away but the man tried to grab the boy’s arm. He managed to move back, threw his basketball at the man and ran off.
The man is described as aged between 30 and 40, has long, straight brown hair and was unshaven at the time.
He was wearing sunglasses, white or yellow thongs, a singlet and blue jeans.
Police have released an image of a man they think could help them.
The van was white, unwashed and rusty, possibly a 2004 model.
Police believe two other dog walkers, who were in the park just before the incident happened, may have seen the van.
Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
