Distinctive car sought after attempted abduction of Whangarei schoolboy

Whangarei police are appealing for sightings of a car used in the attempted abduction of a schoolboy last week.

Police have released a detailed description of the Honda car after a man attempted to kidnap a 10-year-old boy on McClintock St, Whangarei, while he walked home with his school friends around 3pm on November 1.

The man grabbed the boy's backpack and tried to force him into the open car boot, but the boy managed to get away with the help of his friends, Detective Sergeant Dave Hamilton said.

The man then chased the boys, attempting to block their escape by driving his car on to the footpath. The boys ran away and evaded the man by hiding in bushes, before they returned home around 4pm.

Mr Hamilton said police are following lines of inquiry to identify the man and the vehicle, which the schoolchildren and a witness have described.

The car is described as an older shaped Honda four-door silver-coloured sedan, with scratches and minor dents along the driver's side, giving the appearance of a rundown car. There were also scratches and paint damage on the driver's side rear bumper, a noisy sound, like it was about to break down and rust along the bottom of the car. There were tiny white stripes along the side of the car, which had a cracked rear window and shopping in the boot.

"Someone will know who owns this vehicle, or it may jog someone's memory if they were in the area at the time. It's quite distinctive in its appearance," Mr Hamilton said.

"We also want to hear from anyone who knows who this male is.''

The victim has described a European man, with black/brown curly shoulder-length hair, wearing black jeans, a black hoodie, and with tattoos on his arms.

Anyone with information can contact Mr Hamilton on 09 430 4596, or can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.