A man who allegedly tried to kidnap a child in a brutal broad daylight attack in inner-city Melbourne has been charged and released on bail.
Police allege two boys, aged five and 14, were walking along Eldridge St in Footscray at around 3.50pm on March 25 when a 32-year-old man approached them and tried to pick up the younger boy.
The teenager tried to stop the man and was assaulted.
In an earlier statement, Victoria Police said a neighbor saw the incident and shouted at the man to put the child to sleep.
The youngest child was unharmed in the incident, while the 14-year-old suffered minor injuries.
The man was arrested at an address in Footscray on Wednesday morning and charged with attempted child theft, assault and recklessly causing injury.
He was bailed to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 21.