Ont. man wanted for attempted abduction of woman in Wellesley Township

A man wanted for the attempted abduction of a Wellesley, Ont. woman on Tuesday has now been identified.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service said David Sherk, a 50-year-old from Paris, Ont., is wanted for kidnapping and assault with a weapon.

On Aug. 13, at around 11:30 a.m., a stranger approached a 49-year-old woman at a property near Hessen Strasse and Greenwood Hill Road.

The man allegedly attacked the woman and threatened her with a knife, before trying to force the victim into a vehicle.

Police said she managed to escape and the man drove off.

The vehicle was found abandoned a short time later and it was believed the man ran into a nearby wooded area.

Waterloo Regional Police officers search for a kidnapping suspect in Wellesley on Aug. 13, 2024. (Dave Pettitt/CTV News)

Police issued a ‘shelter in place’ warning, asking residents to stay away from the area or remain inside their homes while officers, drones, canine units and an OPP helicopter searched the immediate area.

The alert was called off about five hours later after police determined the man was no longer in the area.

On Tuesday, they shared a photo of Sherk.

A photo of David Sherk provided by Waterloo Regional Police Service. (Courtesy: Waterloo Regional Police Service)

"We believe he could be armed and dangerous," Insp. Kyle Lambert said Wednesday. "We're asking people who may come into contact with him - don't approach him and call 911 immediately."

Neighbours react

Residents were shocked by the violent attack in their neighbourhood.

“It was a little hard to believe, here in Wellesley, something like that was going on,” said Bonnie Brand. “Glad no one got hurt.”

A Waterloo Regional Police officer in Wellesley on Aug. 13, 2024. (Dave Pettitt/CTV News)

“It’s pretty quiet,” explained Peter Brand. “We’re used to horse and buggies going by our door. Not people being robbed.”

During the attack, police said passersby jumped in to help the woman.

“That’s Wellesley,” Peter Brand said. “Everybody is going to help out wherever they can, if they see somebody in need of help. Somebody’s there to help.”