NYC mom saves her teen daughter from being kidnapped

The incident occurred on January 23rd at around 9 a.m. when the 18-year-old was walking her dog back home. A mother in Queens, New York, defended her daughter from a man who was reportedly attempting to kidnap her. The incident occurred in their apartment building when the 18-year-old was bringing her dog into their home at around 9 a.m. on January 23rd.

A 25-year-old man grabbed a woman from behind, dragged her, threw her down the stairs, and punched her multiple times in the face, causing her pain. This information was provided by the New York Police Department in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “The person who was complaining started shouting for help, and a 35-year-old woman came to help her.”

The suspect took out pepper spray from his pocket and sprayed it in her face, causing her pain. “Then he started hitting her several times in the face and pushed her down the stairs. He continued to kick her in the back, which caused pain, bruising, and a dislocated shoulder.” Officials said that a kind person who witnessed the attack “caught the suspect as he tried to run away from the scene.”

George Vassiliou, the suspect identified by the police, was arrested and charged with several crimes including breaching a restraining order, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and harassment after being taken into custody.

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Adriana Alvarez talked to The New York Post about defending her daughter Lex from an attacker. “I have never heard my daughter scream like that,” Alvarez told the outlet. “I thought the dog might have gone downstairs, but when I went outside, I saw my daughter being pulled away.” Alvarez and Lex managed to escape and went outside to call for assistance. A neighbor came out and restrained Vassiliou until the police came.

According to sources from the NYPD, Vassiliou rented a car the night before the attempted kidnapping in January. He parked the car outside Lex and Alvarez’s building. Inside the vehicle, they reportedly found sleeping pills, melatonin, tampons, and a bag with rope.

A fundraising page has been set up on Go Fund Me to help cover the costs of hospital bills, rent, and home bills while Alvarez is recovering from her injuries. Alvarez’s injuries, as reported by the page’s organizer, include a fractured orbital bone, a fractured elbow, and a broken shoulder. They said, “These are bandages that she proudly wears to protect her cub.”