Ute driver sought over kidnap attempt

Police investigating last week's attempted abduction of a teenage girl in Hamilton want help to track down a ute and its driver.

Detective Sergeant Neville Ross of Hamilton CIB said the 15-year-old victim was walking in the Aberfoyle Street area between 6pm and 7pm on April 7 when a man in a black Toyota ute tried to entice her into the vehicle and at one stage tried to grab her.

"She fled towards her home on Ranui Street and the man chased her on foot but she was able to lose him in a school off Michael Avenue," Mr Ross said.

Police said they received a number of calls confirming a utility matching the description was in the area at the time of the incident but they were still seeking more information on the vehicle and driver.

The offender is described as a male Maori or Pacific Islander of muscular build, about 182cm tall wearing a black or dark hooded sweatshirt with a white beanie underneath and black skin tight jeans.

"Our victim thought he looked to be aged in his mid-20s and had a solid, muscular build, she got the impression he may have been a builder or someone in a similar industry," said Mr Ross.

The vehicle is described as a black, double cab utility with bull-bars in the front, large tyres, electric front door windows, all round tinted windows with a black plastic cover over its tray, he added.

- NZPA