A passerby in Austin, Texas stopped a man from kidnapping a 16-year-old girl on April 11, according to an affidavit.
Philip Gamez, 30, who was identified as a heavy-set Hispanic male, attacked the woman on Monday as she was walking home from school.
The passerby told authorities he saw the young girl screaming and fighting the man outside of his front door around 4:50 p.m.
He said he saw the man giving the girl a “bear hug” as he lifted her up in the air—attempting to put her in the passenger seat of a nearby Chevy Tahoe, KXAN reported.
According to the affidavit, the victim was walking home from school when “she felt someone running behind her.” She then turned around and saw the suspect running towards her.
The alleged kidnapper picked the woman up and grabbed her by the torso, according to KXAN. She was trying to fight off the kidnapper who was forcing her into the vehicle.
Once the bystander saw the girl being pushed into the vehicle, the witness said he immediately ran up and opened the door to help her escape.
Gamez, still persistent, went over to the passenger side of the car and pushed the girl back inside the car as he confronted the good Samaritan.
Both men scuffled; During their altercation, the girl managed to escape the vehicle.
The victim told officials she saw the witness hit the suspect.
The witness then called 911 and told police he had helped a female who was about to get kidnapped, according to KXAN.
Officers arrived at the 8200 block of Renton Dr. to search for the alleged kidnapper.
Gamez by then, had already sped off—but was quickly found by police officers.
They arrested him for attempted kidnapping.
According to officials, the victim sustained several injuries from the incident, including a swollen ankle in her right leg, and bruises on one of her arms.
She also lost her shoe, purse, and phone during the attempted kidnapping.
The victim said she did not know the man.
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