A woman allegedly targeted in a daytime kidnapping attempt called out the fleeing SUV’s number plate, helping police quickly track down the accused offenders.
The 27-year-old woman had stopped to change a flat tyre on Browne Parade at Warwick Farm in Sydney’s southwest when she was allegedly assaulted by a man about 2.30pm on Tuesday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Two arrested over alleged daylight kidnapping attempt
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Police allege the man threatened the woman with a knife before attempting to drag her towards a Kia SUV.
The man allegedly fled in the waiting vehicle after several members of the public intervened.
Police will allege the two men had been waiting for the woman in a Liverpool carpark before following her to Browne Parade.
Witness John Waters said he saw the woman at the back of her car screaming and struggling while a man pulled her by the arm, hit her several times and dragged her.
He described the incident as “spooky” and “scary”.
The woman was treated by paramedics for facial and leg injuries before being taken to Liverpool Hospital.
Acting Inspector Andrew Sweeney confirmed the woman was able to call out the SUV’s registration plate as the attackers fled, allowing police to track down the vehicle and arrest the accused men less than two hours later in Auburn.
A 22-year-old man was arrested on the banks of Duck Creek, while a 24-year-old man was arrested on West St, both about 4pm.
Footage obtained by 7NEWS shows a large police presence in Auburn, with one man being taken into custody.
The pair have since been charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon and aggravated robbery with corporal violence.
They were refused bail to appear before Parramatta Court on Wednesday.
Sweeney described the incident as a targeted attack, but said police had not identified any links between the woman and criminal groups.
“At this stage, we are unable to identify any links to any criminal elements from the victim, and it appears that she is an innocent party,” he said.
Police allege the woman’s phone was stolen during the incident, but it has since been recovered, and entered as evidence.
Sweeney also praised the members of the public who stepped in to help.
“Their bravery and involvement in this has sort of potentially prevented the incident from escalating further,” he said.
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