An investigation is underway after a four-year-old girl was snatched by a couple at a popular swimming spot on Australia Day.
Witnesses reported that a woman and a man had approached the little girl ‘suspiciously’ before grabbing her at the Point Walter jetty in Bicton, south-east Perth, about 5.25pm on Friday.
The daylight kidnapping was only thwarted after two teenage girls alerted the child’s father as the couple walked to a parking lot.
Shortly afterwards, the couple was seen at an ice cream truck with another man, all of whom were described as possibly being of Asian descent.
Police said the couple’s intentions were “very unclear” and urged them to come forward to explain.
The child is now safe and was not injured.
Witnesses reported a woman and a man approached the little girl ‘suspiciously’ before grabbing her at the Point Walter jetty in Bicton, south-east Perth (pictured), about 5.25pm on Friday.
The girl’s father was able to take her from the couple, who were then seen with another man near an ice cream truck (stock image)
Detective Sergeant Sam Harris said the group’s behavior was ‘strange’, adding: ‘You can’t do that to someone’s child.’
The woman is described as being in her 30s, with heavy makeup and a long khaki-colored skirt.
One man was in his 30s and wearing dark-colored shorts, and another man wore white Crocs and had a missing tooth.
Detective Harris urged the two teens or anyone else who saw the group to talk to police.
“A lot of people were here in groups, and maybe it was someone from their group, a group near Tham, who spoke to them and who can help identify these people,” he said.
“There were a lot of people around, which is why it’s so important to get this out so we can talk to anyone who may have seen this or seen it in the background of footage because it was during a major event.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
The four-year-old is now safe and unharmed (stock photo), but police want to speak to the group so they can explain their ‘strange’ actions