A 16-year-old girl in a state of fear was rescued from her suspected abductor after silently signaling for help to a store employee.
The young girl received assistance from a gas station attendant in Michigan, USA, after she entered the store and discreetly communicated her need for aid.
According to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, the girl was waiting at a bus stop in Hamtramck at approximately 7 am on April 13 when she was allegedly forced into a van at gunpoint by Donald Fields, who had placed something on her back.
Another student from the same school witnessed the incident and promptly dialed 911 as Fields drove away, prosecutors revealed.
Allegedly, Fields, aged 48, sexually assaulted the girl inside the van before stopping at a gas station and accompanying her into the store.
The Hamtramck Police Department initiated a search for the teenager and was alerted by classmates who were able to pinpoint her location at the station.
Abdulrahman Abohatem, who was on duty at the store, noticed something amiss when Fields asked the girl to purchase cigarettes for him. Abohatem recounted that the girl silently mouthed the word ‘help’ to him.
Taking swift action, Abohatem stepped out from behind the protective glass and guided the girl to safety, as reported by the Mail.
Expressing his relief at being able to assist, Abohatem remarked, “I go out, I kick him out, I ask the girl go behind me. I feel good when you save somebody. Sixteen years old – she is a child.”
Upon receiving information from students about the girl’s location, responding officers swiftly arrived at the scene.
Police bodycam footage captured the moment officers apprehended Fields as he exited the store unaccompanied.
Fields questioned the reason for his detention, asking, “For what?”
Authorities have released additional footage capturing the alleged abduction of the teenager from the bus stop.
Fields faces charges including two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, one count of felonious assault, and three counts of felony firearm.
Additionally, he is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm due to a prior criminal record of sexual assault charges, according to Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi.
During his arraignment, Fields pleaded not guilty and is currently held without bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for April 30.
Prosecutors commended the quick thinking of the young girl, with Worthy stating, “Our young survivor in this case was simply walking in broad daylight when she was viciously attacked and sexually assaulted. Despite what she had just gone through, her quick thinking and mental toughness saved her life. We cannot reverse what happened to her, but we can work hard to bring justice to her.”
