By DANIELLE GALVIN and LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A MAN who tried to grab a 14-year-old girl and drag her into his car in Pakenham was disturbed by two women walking past last week.
The incident comes just days before a horrifying abduction attempt in Narre Warren on the weekend where a young boy was dragged away from his family near Melzak Way at Sweeney Reserve.
Police do not believe the incidents are linked.
The girl was approached by a man at the back of the IGA supermarket car park about 3.10pm on 27 February.
She was standing in the car park when she was approached by the man who asked her to get into his dark coloured Hyundai Excel.
When she refused, he tried to force her into the car.
Cardinia Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Leading Senior Constable Colin Beard said two girls who were walking by at the time disturbed the man.
“When she refused, he put his hands on her,” he said.
Detective Leading Sen Const Beard urged the two girls to come forward and tell police what they saw.
He said the victim described the car as dirty.
The offender is described as around 40 years of age, 172 cm tall, balding, dark brown hair, solid build and tanned complexion.
Police are unsure of the motive and are investigating the incident to determine the identity of the man.
On Saturday, a man took a young boy Jordan from a playground at the reserve in Narre Warren before letting him go and fleeing on foot when a woman approached him.
Jordan’s parents Mark and Lauren Cary addressed the media on Sunday and thanked another six-year-old who alerted adults to his friend’s disappearance.
“I think without him going to speak to get some help, the situation wouldn’t have ended the way it did, and there’s a high chance that it would have been much worse,” Lauren said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Detective Leading Sen Const Beard for the Pakenham incident.
