Warnbro kidnapping: Man accused of taking nine-year-old girl while she was walking to school in Perth

A man who allegedly abducted a nine-year-girl in broad daylight while she was on her way to school has been identified.

Ryan Ashley Darken, 37, was charged with a series of disturbing offences in relation to the alleged kidnapping of the girl when he faced Northbridge Magistrates Court in Northbridge, Western Australia, on Saturday.

The charges include detained another with intent to prevent/hinder a person doing an act, deprivation of liberty and threatening to do an unlawful act.

Darken kept his head down during the brief court proceedings and only responded to confirm his name and the charges, reports The West Australian. 

His charges were read aloud by Magistrate Brian Gluestein due to ‘the seriousness’ of the offences. 

Ryan Ashley Darken (pictured), 37, has been charged over the alleged kidnapping of a nine-year-old girl in broad daylight

WA Premier Roger Cook described the tradie’s alleged crimes as ‘filthy and depraved’.

‘I don’t think words can describe my, or the WA community’s absolute disgust and abhorrence to these activities,’ he said at a press conference on Saturday.

‘Our hearts go out to that little girl, to the family, and the police involved in this important work.’ 

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Darken allegedly lured the nine-year-old girl into a silver ute near a Warnbro primary school at about 8.45am on Friday. 

A parent at the school allegedly noticed the girl getting into the ute and reported it to the school, which sparked a major police operation. 

The girl was found distressed and crying at a nearby supermarket by staff a short time later. 

Witnesses claimed she was barefoot and had her hands bound with cable ties.

The girl who was allegedly kidnapped is seen on CCTV being dropped off outside an IGA in Port Kennedy

Darken (pictured left) had his charges read aloud in Northbridge Magistrates Court by Magistrate Brian Gluestein due to ‘the seriousness’ of the offences

Acting Detective Inspector Scott Johnson from the sex crimes division commended the parent who first reported the alleged incident.

‘That’s probably one of the primary reasons that this resolved – a parent noticing that something wasn’t right, seeing a child get into a car when they were almost at school and reporting it straight away – it’s of utmost importance,’ he said.

‘It’s one of those things that parents need to have that hard conversation with children about stranger danger and talking to anybody or going with anybody or doing anything online.’

Darken was remanded in custody without bail. He will front Rockingham Magistrates Court on September 4. 

More to come