Inspector Paul Hargreaves at a media conference on Wednesday.
ARARAT - Ararat detectives are continuing to call for anyone with information regarding a kidnapping which took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
A 22-year-old woman was allegedly abducted by three men on the corner of Baird and Campbell Streets at approximately 1am on Tuesday, March 19.
Inspector Paul Hargreaves from the Ararat Police Station said the woman reported being taken in a motor vehicle against her will for about 20 kilometres along the Pyrenees Highway in the Elmhurst/St Arnaud direction where she was eventually dropped off on the side of the road.
"She has then had cause to flag down a couple of vehicles. One stopped, being a small light truck, that person has then brought her back into town and dropped her at a similar location where she has then notified police," he said.
"So out of that we are looking for a small dark colour vehicle that we believe picked her up.
"The young female for one reason or another was having trouble sleeping and so she was out walking at the time. She was wearing dark clothing all over and the people have stopped to speak to her.
"There has been a minor verbal exchange at which time two people have jumped out and grabbed her and placed her in the vehicle."
Inspector Hargreaves said Ararat Police were keen to hear from anyone that saw the young female on the Pyrenees Highway when she was attempting to flag down cars.
"We understand a vehicle did go past her at that time which was heading towards Elmhurst/St Arnaud," he said.
Inspector Hargreaves said the truck driver who assisted the victim was travelling in the opposite direction but was kind enough to stop, turn around and bring her back into town. He has since come forward and has assisted police by providing a statement.
Ararat Police are urging anyone who has seen or heard something on social media regarding this incident to come forward.
"We understand that this has hit the social media, there will be people out there that know something about this crime, it is unique for this area, it is concerning for us and we need to get to the bottom of it," Inspector Hargreaves said.
"The young female is suffering some emotional trauma as a result of this. She doesn't have any significant injuries arising but the emotional trauma is an issue for us at the moment.
"We are really keen to get to the bottom of it and you can rest assured that there will be a number of people in this community that will have some knowledge around this dark coloured vehicle, this location and this female.
"She is 22, well known in town and we are hoping one of those people find the goodness to come forward and give us some more information."
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Ararat Police Station on 5355 1500 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
