A teenage girl has endured a terrifying seven-hour ordeal after being bundled into a vehicle in what police believe was a random abduction in Altrincham. The 15-year-old was walking alone on Bradgate Road, Bowdon, at around 6.45pm on Monday evening when a man with a knife forced her into the back of a van.
Incident Details
The victim reported being threatened with a knife throughout the ordeal, according to the Manchester Evening News. She was reported missing at around 9pm on Monday evening before eventually being found in the early hours of Tuesday (May 19) in a hotel car park in Knutsford, Cheshire.
Police arrested a 56-year-old man after a quick-thinking member of the public heard her terrified screams and made a note of the vehicle’s number plate. An alert was issued for the specific vehicle, and Cheshire police located it on the car park at the Cottons Hotel and Spa in the early hours. The teenager was inside, and the man was arrested at the scene.
Police Statement
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers working alongside Cheshire Police have arrested a man on suspicion of abduction after a teenage girl was reported missing on Monday 18 May in Altrincham. A 56‑year‑old man was arrested in the early hours of 19 May and remains in custody for further questioning. Specialist officers are supporting the girl and her family. There is no wider risk to the public. Further updates will be provided when appropriate."
The man arrested was a white male, Greater Manchester Police said. Detectives have been granted an extension to keep the suspect in custody for further questioning.
Investigation Ongoing
It is understood the incident is being treated as random and that the teenager is not known to the suspect. Police are continuing their inquiries and urge anyone with information to come forward.
