A 38-year-old man is facing charges of kidnapping and threatening to kill after an incident with two children in Havelock North yesterday.
Police said at around 6.45pm the children were walking in the Nimon St area when they were approached by a man who coerced them into going with him.
The man made threats to the children and forced them to stay with him.
Inspector Martin James said the children managed to escape and ran to safety at a nearby house, where the homeowner called the police.
"The man attempted to flee the area but a quick response from our police staff with the help of the residents in Havelock North saw the man arrested."
James said police are confident it's an isolated incident, but they are appealing to the public for further information.
"Police are appealing to the residents of Legorne Lane, Brookvale Road, Woodlands Drive, Russell Robertson Drive and Ayrhire Drive wider area to check their properties for items of clothing that don’t belong there.
"It’s thought that the man involved dumped a black puffer jacket and other property within this area."
The man was found with a mauve-coloured night dress, thought to be taken from somewhere in the area.
Police would like to hear from anyone who knows where the dress was taken from and they will be going door-to-door in the area today.
The man is due to appear in the Hasting District Court today, facing charges of kidnapping and threatening to kill.
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