A New York City mom, Adriana Alvarez, bravely chased down a suspected kidnapper who grabbed her teen daughter from their doorstep in January. The shocking surveillance video shows a masked man jumping over a railing and snatching the 18-year-old as she approached her apartment. Alvarez, in a panic, sprinted after the suspect, shouting at him to leave. The incident left Alvarez in a hospital bed for days, recovering from a fractured orbital bone and other injuries she sustained while trying to stop the suspect.
The incident unfolded on January 23 when Alvarez’s daughter, Lex, was returning from walking their dogs. It was then that her daughter’s former co-worker, 25-year-old George Vassiliou, tried to kidnap her from behind. Alvarez’s immediate instinct was to pull her daughter back, but Vassiliou used pepper spray on her and punched her to prevent her from stopping him. Another neighbor, Gus Bougas, came to help after hearing the commotion and tackled Vassiliou until the police arrived. Vassiliou had previously worked with the victim at a nearby grocery store, where he was allegedly fired for stalking the girl. Alvarez had called the police on him twice before and sought a restraining order due to his creepy behavior.
The Ring video footage shows the physical discrepancy between the tiny victim and the much larger Vassiliou as he carries her out of view. Vassiliou, who is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 230 pounds, was held on a $50,000 bond for charges including second-degree attempted kidnapping, criminal possession of a weapon, assault, burglary, and more. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 3. The bravery and quick thinking of Alvarez and her neighbor, Bougas, helped prevent a potentially tragic outcome in this harrowing incident.
The situation highlights the dangers that many individuals, particularly women and young girls, face in their own neighborhoods. It also underscores the importance of awareness and vigilance in keeping loved ones safe from potential threats. The fact that Alvarez had previously reported Vassiliou’s suspicious behavior to the authorities and sought legal protection for her daughter shows the proactive steps that can be taken to prevent dangerous situations from escalating.
The shocking nature of the incident and Alvarez’s bravery in chasing down the suspect have sparked a conversation about safety and self-defense. It serves as a reminder that danger can strike unexpectedly, but quick thinking and decisive action can make all the difference in protecting oneself and loved ones. The community support shown by neighbor Gus Bougas, who intervened to help Alvarez stop the kidnapping, demonstrates the importance of looking out for one another and standing together against threats.
Overall, the incident involving Adriana Alvarez and her daughter serves as a powerful reminder of the potential dangers in everyday life and the importance of being prepared to act swiftly in the face of danger. Alvarez’s courageous actions in chasing down the suspected kidnapper, along with the support of her neighbor Gus Bougas, helped prevent a potentially tragic outcome. The case also sheds light on the necessity of reporting suspicious behavior to authorities and taking legal measures to protect oneself and loved ones from potential harm.
