Citizens Foil Daylight Attempt to Kidnap 11-Year-Old Girl in Petah Tikva

A chilling kidnapping attempt of an 11-year-old girl in Petah Tikva was caught on a car camera in broad daylight. The assailant aggressively grabbed the girl, lifted her, and ran along the road trying to escape. The incident ended only due to the quick and decisive intervention of alert bystanders who witnessed the event and prevented the abduction, rescuing the child.

Victoria Roitman, a family acquaintance, told "HaOlam HaBoker" that despite the traumatic experience, the girl’s physical condition is good, with only a minor scratch. She emphasized the child’s psychological resilience, noting that the dominant memory for the girl is the community’s swift help. Roitman quoted the girl saying, "They came to help me."

The kidnapper, described as mentally unstable, was not held long in custody but was transferred for psychiatric evaluation. Roitman added that he attacked hospital staff during the assessment and was subsequently re-arrested. While the civilian response was prompt and effective, the family’s experience with the authorities was more complicated. Roitman criticized the police’s handling at the scene, particularly their lack of empathy toward the mother, who was emotionally distraught.

Furthermore, Roitman claimed that the case only gained serious momentum after the disturbing footage was widely shared on social media, prompting public outcry and increased attention from law enforcement.