Nurses, good Samaritans thwart kidnapping attempt of teen girl in North Bergen

Toni Yates reports from North Bergen, New Jersey.

NORTH BERGEN, New Jersey (WABC) — Police in North Bergen have arrested a man after they say an attempted kidnapping was thwarted by good Samaritans.

Roberto Canavalan, 35, was arrested and charged with kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.

The incident happened on April 23 on 79th Street and Bergenline Avenue, which is typically bustling with cars and pedestrians.

According to police, a 17-year-old girl was walking down the street when Canavalan ran toward her, grabbed her, put her in a chokehold and dragged her away from Bergenline Avenue.

A struggle between the pair ensued as the girl tried to get away, and it lasted up to two minutes as cars and other pedestrians failed to intervene, police said.

Surveillance video captured at least four men walking past the scene and failing to help the girl.

“While I can understand the hesitation for a civilian to physically step in, I would have hoped they would at least have called 911,” Det. Capt. David Dowd told Eyewitness News.

Two nurses from a nearby doctor’s office heard the girl screaming for help and rushed to her aid. A man and another woman who happened to be walking past the scene also jumped into action to wrestle the girl away from Canavalan.

“These nurses, already heroes for all they’ve endured during the COVID pandemic and other health crises, demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment to protecting life,” Dowd said.

Once police arrived on the scene, Canavalan was identified by the girl and the good Samaritans and was arrested.

Officials say the attack was random and that the pair do not know each other.

‘Hey leave her alone!’ – neighbor’s intervention helps save girl from kidnap attempt

A man who was attempting to assault an 11-year-old girl in Wilmington was scared off when a neighbor shouted “Hey leave her alone!”

WILMINGTON, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — New video shows a disturbing sexual assault and attempted kidnapping of a young girl walking down the street in Wilmington.

The footage shows a man walking behind the 11-year-old girl on the street and sidewalk in a residential neighborhood.

He approaches her from behind and gropes her, as she tries to break free.

Suddenly, a neighbor is heard shouting “Hey, leave her alone!”

The voice startles the man, who lets the girl go, turns around and gets into a nearby car. He drove off in the gray Nissan Kicks.

The incident happened Monday around 3:15 p.m. in the area of M Street and Gulf Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at (310) 726-7900.

Police are searching for a man who is accused of sexually assaulting a girl and then trying to kidnap her in the Wilmington area of Los Angeles.

Man grabs 6-year-old boy off NYC street before parents jump into action, video shows

A shocking attempted kidnaping was caught on video in New York City’s Coney Island, but the little boy’s parents quickly stepped into action.

CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn — A man is in custody after he snatched a 6-year-old child off the street in New York City’s Coney Island and threw the boy at his parents when they chased after him, police said.

On Sunday night, the streets were filled with people enjoying the final hours of a holiday weekend.

Roy Gantt, Sharon Robinson, and their son Rah’Shem Gantt were looking to buy popcorn when a stranger — dressed head-to-toe in black and wearing a tall hat — suddenly grabbed Rah’Shem. He took a few steps with the boy in his arms, but threw him to the ground after his parents noticed what was happening and chased after him.

The incident was captured on video.

“When I turned around, I noticed a man pick him up and run by way of the boardwalk. Once he saw us chasing him, he threw (Rah’Shem) down. It sounded like he hit his head on the concrete,” Roy Gantt said.

Gantt said he and the boy’s mother chased the man and pinned him down for about four minutes until police arrived.

“That was someone who attempted to kidnap my son, then assaulted him,” Gantt said.

“It was scary,” Rah’Shem said.

The crowded streets were full of witnesses, and several stayed with the crying boy and his toddler sister while his parents ran after the suspect and pinned him.

“The cops came and thought we were jumping on somebody for no reason. We had ten, 15 people come up and vouch for us,” Roy Gantt said.

“I had my foot on his chest to hold him down. I didn’t have the heart to stomp him,” Robinson said. “Violence is not my way.”

The suspect, 36-year-old Jonathan Robalino, was arrested and is now charged with assault and attempted kidnapping. The New York Police Department said the suspect has had prior interactions with police and remains in custody.

“It was just shocking. I’m a mother myself so we all ran over to see what was happening,” bystander Nora Smiles recalled.

The 6-year-old was deemed healthy after being examined at Coney Island Hospital, although his father says he never wants to return to Coney Island again.