A brave woman escaped her abductor’s car and ran for her life straight into the arms of a police officer who had arrived by chance.
CCTV footage showed the terrifying moment unfold at a petrol station.
The 28-year-old victim was sat in the front passenger seat, closely watched by her 35-year-old estranged husband to stop her fleeing.
READ MORE: Teen ‘strangles best friend to steal car for scrap’
While they were parked, a patrol car drove onto the forecourt – and the woman saw her chance.
She waited until her husband was about to get back in the car, then unbuckled her seatbelt, flung open the door, and ran shouting for help straight towards the officers.
The man gave chase but was stopped by a police officer before he could reach her, as reported by Need To Know.
He was quickly restrained and handcuffed in the early hours of Tuesday (26 Aug) in Corinto, in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state.
Sergeant Júlio of the Military Police said: “The victim was in serious danger of death.
“She had already been assaulted by her partner and, fearing him, even moved to another city to avoid further attacks.
“This man, unwilling to accept the situation, discovered where she was – at her brother’s house, far from her hometown – and went there, coming dangerously close to committing a horrific act against her.”
Her brother had been out shopping when the husband arrived at the property in Conceição do Mato Dentro and forced her into the car at knifepoint.
Sergeant Júlio added: “While being transported to Corinto, she was assaulted and raped en route.”
The quick-thinking officers rescued her, took her to A&E, and recorded her statement.
The suspect now faces charges of rape, threats, and kidnapping with unlawful confinement.
READ MORE: Man, 27, found dead in front of computer wearing gas mask
