Terror charge as stranger allegedly snatched a boy, 7, from his home in the middle of the night – before reportedly returning to drag his brother, 12, away, who managed to escape and raise the alarm
- Stranger, 34, allegedly grabbed two boys in the middle of the night
- Boy, 7, kidnapped, brother, 12, escaped when dragged away
Police have arrested a man who allegedly snatched a young boy and attempted to kidnap his older brother from their home in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.
The 34-year-old man, who is not believed to be known to the boys, is said to have entered a house in Moora, 177km north of Perth, around 4am on Friday.
It is alleged that he took a seven-year-old boy from the house before returning and trying to kidnap the other 12-year-old boy and dragging him out of the house.
Police say the older boy broke free and ran back into the house to alert an adult who notified authorities.
Police have arrested a man who allegedly snatched a young boy and attempted to kidnap another child from their home in Moora (pictured) in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia
Police searched the area and found the seven-year-old boy in a nearby house just after 7 a.m.
The Moora man was arrested and is assisting police in the investigation.
Police said both boys were taken to hospital for routine medical checks.
WA Police Inspector Kareene Santoro said the actions of the 12-year-old boy led to the swift resolution of the “deeply traumatic incident.”
“[His]courage and bravery to get himself out of that situation was tremendous, and it was a really good job of him to immediately warn an adult about what happened,” said Inspector Santoro.
Police believe a man broke into the house on Padbury St through the front door and tried to drag the 12-year-old away at around 5am.
But the boy fought back and raised the alarm with an adult in the house.
It was then that they discovered that his eight-year-old brother was missing.
Police searched the area and a short time later, at around 7:10 am, found the younger boy in a nearby house.
Inspector Santoro said the boy came to the door in ‘a sad state’ but was happy to be found
Both children were taken to hospital for a routine medical check-up.
Inspector Santoro added: “He seems to be in a very good mood, has been very brave during the incident and is just happy to be back with his family.”