New Orleans Woman Fights for Freedom, Narrowly Escapes Kidnappers

A New Orleans woman battled kidnappers late last week, narrowly escaping after two men attempted to force her into their vehicle on a dark street.

The woman, whose name was not released by NOLA police, is identified as a 34-year-old Chicago native She was walking near her home in the city's Marigny district. The attack happened last Thursday night around 11pm on Dauphine Street and is once again raising concern about the safety of New Orleans home-owners in their own neighborhoods.

In the video from a surveillance camera from a nearby home, the victim of the attack is seen walking down the street in the usually quiet area.

A dark gray sedan drives slowly past her and stops just before the nearby intersection. And as the video plainly shows, that’s when the situation takes a horrifying turn.

As the woman, seemingly unaware, walks by, a masked man leaps from the car and wraps his arms around her, violently pulling her towards the vehicle. As she tries to fight him off, another masked man jumps from the car and joins the struggle.

But the woman was able to tear away from her attackers and according to police, the sight of approaching cars caused the pair of attackers to flee.

New Orleans police say that crimes like this one are becoming more commonplace in a city already riddled with violence. Police say there have been two kidnapping attempts in the city already this year. There were 30 last year and 26 in 2020.

NOLA police say no arrests have been made and there are no suspects.