Man Arrested After Attempting to Kidnap 11-Year-Old Girl in Petah Tikva

An 11-year-old girl narrowly escaped an attempted kidnapping in Petah Tikva on July 1, when a man in his 40s grabbed her while she was on her way to an extracurricular class near the city's stadium. According to police, the suspect approached the girl, tried to snatch her phone, then lifted her in his arms and began crossing the street with her. The girl was speaking to her father on the phone at the time and screamed for help, attracting the attention of nearby drivers and pedestrians who alerted the police.

Officers from the Petah Tikva station quickly arrived, arrested the suspect, and returned the distressed girl to her parents. The suspect was taken for medical evaluation, during which he allegedly became violent and attacked a medical staff member, leading to a second arrest. Police are investigating the full circumstances and motives behind the incident.

The police statement emphasized their swift response and commitment to public safety, noting the suspect's aggressive behavior during the medical assessment. The investigation remains ongoing.