General News
25 July, 2026
Detectives investigate attempted kidnapping
DETECTIVES are calling on the public to help identify a woman allegedly responsible for an attempted kidnapping in Warrnambool earlier this month.
Warrnambool Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) detectives are working to identify a woman as part of their investigations.
Investigators were told the victim, a 33 year-old woman, was walking home from work on Willow Tree Lane at about 4.30pm on Tuesday, July 7 when she was confronted by a woman.
The victim first noticed the woman standing next to a white coloured 2016 Hyundai i130 shortly before the confrontation.
As the victim walked past the vehicle she was attacked from behind and pushed half-way into the car.
She was able to fight the woman off and make her way out of the vehicle before falling to the ground and kicking out at the offender.
The offender took the victim’s phone and fled the scene, driving south on Willow Tree Lane.
Investigators have released a stock image of the vehicle and a computer-generated image of the woman of interest in the hope it will help the investigation.
The woman has been described as being of Caucasian appearance and is thought to be aged between 20 and 30 years old with curly blonde hair.
She was wearing a black coloured hoodie pulled over her head and bright pink hiking pants.
Detectives are appealing for dashcam vision from motorists who may have been in the street or the surrounding area at the time.
Investigators have established the vehicle was a hire-car and was driven along Koroit, Hyland and Griffen streets, and Raglan Parade, in the hour following the incident.
Motorists are urged to check their vision and contact police.
“We have done a lot of work and progressed our investigation however we’re now at a stage where we need assistance from the public,” Detective Acting Sergeant Joe Fisher said.
“This was a targeted incident in which we believe the woman involved was tasked by a man linked to the victim.
“As the investigation is ongoing, I’m not able to go into too much detail about the man other than to say we believe we know who he is and he appears to be off-shore.”
He added the aim now was to identify the woman involved.
“The victim was very brave and thank goodness she was able to get away; luckily she wasn’t seriously injured,” he said.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or dashcam, or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online, confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
