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 Wednesday. The incident occurred near the city's stadium on HaMiflasim Street as the girl was on her way to an extracurricular class. According to police, a man in his 40s approached the girl, grabbed her, lifted her into his arms, and began crossing the street with her. The girl was speaking on the phone with her father at the time and shouted for help, attracting the attention of nearby drivers and passersby who quickly alerted the police.

Officers from the Petah Tikva station arrived promptly, apprehended the suspect, and returned the distressed girl safely to her parents. The suspect was taken for medical evaluation, during which he reportedly became violent and allegedly assaulted a medical staff member. As a result, he was arrested again, and the investigation into the circumstances and motives behind the attempted kidnapping is ongoing.

The police emphasized their swift response and commitment to public safety, stating they will continue to act decisively to protect the community.