A 12-year-old girl on her way to school was allegedly stalked and grabbed by a man in Adelaide's west, with the incident captured on home security camera.
The girl was walking to her bus stop on Arkba St in Taperoo around 7am on Thursday when she noticed a man following her from the opposite side of the road. She looked back and quickened her pace, but he crossed over and closed in.
The man allegedly grabbed her shoulder and told her he had “expensive things” in his car, offering to take her with him. She refused and managed to get away.
Quick thinking and escape
The girl, who was wearing one AirPod, called her mother as the man continued to follow. She then walked toward a nearby construction site, where workers helped deter him.
Local resident Michelle captured the encounter on her home security camera and provided the footage to police. “He looked like real creepy to me the way he was stalking her,” she told 7NEWS.
Community reaction and police appeal
Another local resident described the behaviour as “disgusting”. The girl's mother, though distressed, said she is proud of her daughter's quick thinking, and the school is supporting the family and wider community.
Police are investigating and described the man as having a tanned complexion, medium build, about 170cm tall with brown hair, wearing dark pants and t-shirt with an unbuttoned checkered shirt. Anyone with CCTV vision is urged to contact police.
