Police have charged a 37-year-old man over the alleged abduction of a young girl in Perth's southern suburbs. Ryan Ashley Darken appeared in the Northbridge Magistrates court on four charges, including unlawfully detaining the child and making threats to harm her.
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TVTranscript
00:00 In broad daylight, an alleged kidnapper pulls into a supermarket car park.
00:07 Seconds later, a child emerges and walks inside.
00:10 Our hearts go out to that little girl and to the family
00:15 and to the police involved in this important work.
00:19 Police allege the girl was picked up by Ryan Ashley Darkin
00:22 less than half an hour earlier as she walked to school.
00:26 The concerned parents saw the girl get into an unknown car
00:29 and raised the alarm.
00:31 I'm really pleased that a member of the community was observing
00:34 the particular action and was able to react and inform the police
00:40 about what they saw as suspicious activities.
00:43 So that's great that someone was looking out for that little girl.
00:46 Suspect in custody.
00:47 Mr Darkin was arrested in the Rockingham area after police found him
00:51 in the vehicle allegedly used in the kidnapping.
00:54 Roll cars with him now.
00:55 He appeared in court on four charges including unlawfully detaining the girl
01:00 and threatening to harm her.
01:02 He did not apply for bail and will appear in court again in September.
01:06 As the 37-year-old tradesman was appearing in court,
01:09 his family told the ABC they are shocked at the allegations
01:13 against Mr Darkin, who's married with two children.
01:17 They say their hearts break for the alleged victim and her family.
01:21 [BLANK_AUDIO]