'It was a terrible scream, a painful scream': Witnesses recount Rockhampton attempted abduction

Two women who ran to help another woman who was allegedly being forced into a car outside a North Rockhampton pub, say they’re worried what may have happened if they didn’t intervene.

The 24-year-old woman was standing outside the Park Avenue Hotel when a man approached her, asking for directions.

Police claim he put her in a headlock, punched her, and dragged her several metres towards a ute that he’d allegedly stolen hours earlier.

“It was a terrible scream, a painful scream, like someone screaming for help,” Angela Ast told 9News.

The Ast family was alerted by the woman’s screams and a car horn beeping.

CCTV cameras captured the moment the 21-year-old man pulled up outside the hotel and walked towards the car park where the 24-year-old woman was standing.

When the Ast family raced outside, he allegedly let the woman go and sped off in the ute, leaving the woman bruised and shaken up.

“She was shaking, she couldn't talk, she couldn't use her phone. It was terrible,” Ms Ast said.

“You just don’t think this stuff happens,” another witness told 9News.

Police pursued the ute along Musgrave Street, and deployed road spikes to try to stop the man.

He was later found in bushland off Emu Park Road and was chased down by police dog Griffin – who bit him during the arrest.

Detectives also claim the man had a run-in with officers not long before the attempted abduction.

He's accused of driving the stolen car dangerously and nearly mowing two officers down.

“They’ve challenged that vehicle and it’s driven towards two officers,” Detective Senior Sergeant Luke Peachey said.

The 21-year-old has been charged with several offences, including deprivation of liberty, assault, dangerous driving and assaulting police.

“This is something that could’ve ended very differently,” Detective Senior Sergeant Peachey said.

“If she got in that vehicle, who knows what we could be dealing with.”

The man is expected to face the Rockhampton Magistrates Court tomorrow.