HOUSTON – A man attempted to kidnap two women in north Houston Saturday, the Harris County Precinct 4 office said.
The man attempted to kidnap one woman in the 900 block of North Vista Drive and the other in the 16200 block of Bend Drive, the constable's office said.
Officials released surveillance video of the incident in hopes someone will recognize the suspect's vehicle.
Witnesses told investigators that the man assaulted one of the victims and attempted to force her into his vehicle.
"We were going to the store when we saw a young lady run out in front of a garbage truck," said witness Larry Whitfield. "She was screaming and hollering, 'Help me! help me! help me!'"
She was able to break free, but was badly injured, investigators said.
The other victim, Luz Baena, was riding her bicycle when she said she noticed a gray car driving close to her.
Baena, 55, said she survived being kidnapped.
“He threw the bicycle and I said, what do you want from me and I panicked,” Baena said. “I said, what do you want? You can have the bicycle and he said, 'No, I want you.'”
Baena said the man grabbed her arm, forced her into his car and drove approximately two blocks.
“I’m thinking he’s going to kill me. No, no, no. I need to do something. I don’t want to die now,” Baena said.
She said when she noticed the driver getting close to a group of people she jumped out of the accelerating car.
Baena was treated at a hospital for broken bones in her face, a black eye, and bruises on her arms and leg.
“My knees. Everything (is) painful, painful. But thank you God I’m still alive," she said.
Officials said the assailant is described as a black man in his early 20s with a thin build, approximately 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, bald and clean-shaven. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and khaki pants. His vehicle is described as a dark gray four-door Camry with front right damage and varying rims, according to investigators.
They are combing through surveillance videos from neighbors for leads.