A New York City mother showed incredible bravery and determination as she fought off a suspected kidnapper to protect her teenage daughter in a harrowing incident that unfolded in January. The shocking surveillance video captured the heart-stopping moment when a masked man grabbed the 18-year-old girl from behind as she approached her family's apartment doorstep.
The mother, identified as Adriana Alvarez, immediately sprang into action, chasing after the suspect down multiple flights of stairs in a desperate attempt to rescue her daughter. Despite slipping on the tile floor and sustaining injuries, Alvarez continued her pursuit, shouting at the suspect to leave her daughter alone.
According to Alvarez, the incident occurred as her daughter, Lex, returned home from walking their dogs. The suspect, later identified as 25-year-old George Vassiliou, who was a former co-worker of Lex, attempted to snatch her from behind. In her efforts to protect her daughter, Alvarez suffered a fractured orbital bone and other injuries.
Fortunately, a neighbor named Gus Bougas intervened and tackled the suspect, holding him until the police arrived. It was revealed that Vassiliou had been fired from a nearby grocery store for allegedly stalking the victim and had a history of concerning behavior towards Lex.
Vassiliou, a large man standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 230 pounds, now faces multiple charges, including second-degree attempted kidnapping, criminal possession of a weapon, assault, and burglary. He is currently held on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on April 3.
The courageous actions of Adriana Alvarez serve as a powerful reminder of a mother's unwavering love and determination to protect her child in the face of danger. The community has rallied behind the family, praising their strength and resilience in the aftermath of this terrifying ordeal.
