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A 15-year-old girl threw herself from a slow-moving car and hid in the bushes until police arrived after she was allegedly driven around secluded parts of West Auckland and indecently assaulted.
The schoolgirl was waiting for a bus in Henderson last week when a middle-aged man approached her at 8.45am, said Detective Sergeant Megan Goldie, from the child abuse team.
The man allegedly asked the girl if she wanted to go for a cigarette. The girl was enticed into his car and driven around secluded parts of West Auckland, including Huia.
Police say the girl was questioned inappropriately and indecently touched on her thighs.
She became more and more uncomfortable and took her opportunity to escape by opening the car door and throwing herself to the ground when the man slowed down for some gates along Scenic Drive.
Ms Goldie said the girl had her cellphone on her and called police. She hid in the bushes until a patrol car arrived.
Police were investigating at least two similar incidents this year, Ms Goldie said.
Despite having already made an arrest, police would like to hear from anyone who believes they have been approached by the same man.
Phone Henderson CIB on (09) 839-0600.
* A 43-year-old man is before Waitakere District Court on a number of charges including indecent assault and abduction of a child under 16.
