NORTH BERGEN, N.J. (1010 WINS) — Two nurses from a nearby medical office and other passerby ran to the aid of a 17-year-old girl during an attempted abduction on a New Jersey street last week, saving her from her assailant, police announced Wednesday.
“I’m just in awe of what they did, their bravery, it was truly exceptional,” North Bergen Police Captain David Dowd said.
The teen was walking along Bergenline Avenue near 79th Street at about 3:15 p.m. on April 23 when a man approached and put her in a chokehold, police said.
Hearing the girl’s screams, two nurses from a nearby medical office jumped into action. They ran toward the victim and became involved in a two-minute struggle with her assailant as he tried to drag her down the street and into a nearby alleyway.
Spotting the situation, another woman walking by became involved, as did a man who jumped out of his car to pull the suspect away.
“The true heroes here to me are those three women and that other man who intervened when so many people wouldn’t, and they had the courage to stand up and do the right thing, and I cannot thank them enough,” Dowd said.
Roberto Canavalan, 35, was arrested at the scene and charged with kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child. He was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
The teen girl was physically unharmed.
“My full respect and my hats are off to them because I’m just in awe of what they did,” Dowd said. “Their bravery was truly exceptional.”