Mom Fights Off Her Teen Daughter’s Attempted Kidnapper in New York City

The incident happened after the 18-year-old was walking her dog into their residence at around 9 a.m. on Jan. 23

A mother fought off a man who was allegedly trying to kidnap her daughter in Queens, New York.

The incident happened in their apartment building after the 18-year-old was walking her dog into their residence at around 9 a.m. on Jan. 23.

“A 25-year-old male grabbed her from behind, dragged her, threw her down the stairs and punched her several times in the face causing pain,” the New York Police Department wrote in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “The complainant started yelling for help and a 35-year-old female came to assist her.”

“The suspect then removed pepper spray from his pocket and sprayed her in the face causing pain,” the statement added. “He then began to punch her multiple times in the face and threw her down the stairs, where he began to kick her in the back causing pain, bruising, and a dislocated shoulder.”

Authorities said that a good samaritan who had seen the attack “grabbed the suspect as he tried to flee the location.”

After being taken into custody, the suspect, who police identified as George Vassiliou, was arrested and charged with breaching a restraining order, assault, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment.

Adriana Alvarez spoke to The New York Post about fighting off her daughter Lex’s attacker. “I’ve never heard my daughter scream like that,” Alvarez told the outlet. “I thought maybe the dog had run downstairs, but I step out to see my daughter being dragged away.”

After finally breaking free, Alvarez and Lex ran outside and yelled for help, while a neighbor ran outside and held Vassiliou down until the police arrived.

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NYPD sources told the Post that Vassiliou rented a car the night before January's attempted kidnapping and parked it outside Lex and Alvarez’s building. Sleeping pills, melatonin, tampons and a bag with rope were also reportedly found inside the vehicle.

A Go Fund Me page has been created for the hospital bills, rent and home bills as Alvarez recovers from her injuries. According to the page's organizer, Alvarez suffered “a fractured orbital bone, a fractured elbow and a broken shoulder." They added, “These are bandages she wears with pride for defending her cub.”

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