STERLING HEIGHTS, MI (TND) — A volunteer at a Michigan police department is being praised for his quick response in stopping the suspected kidnapping of a seven-year-old girl.

Sterling Heights police released video Thursday showing a suspect pulling the girl off her bike and dragging her into his vehicle.

Police said the girl’s aunt quickly ran to the car, reached in and held the steering wheel to prevent him from getting out.

Scott VanLuven, a member of the Sterling Heights Citizen Patrol, which assists police, was on his way home from work when he noticed the woman hanging out the driver’s side of a moving vehicle, police said.

According to officials, VanLuven quickly turned around and blocked the vehicle from leaving the park.

“Scott exited his vehicle, removed the suspect from the vehicle and did not allow him to exit until police arrived on the scene,” police said.

“Who knows what would have happened to the poor child if the little girl’s aunt and Scott Vanluven hadn’t acted so quickly,” police continued. “These people are absolute HEROES and we are so grateful they acted so quickly!”

According to police, the same suspect had previously attempted to kidnap a 15-year-old girl from Clinton Township earlier that day, but was fought off by another person.

“These incidents occurred in the middle of the day and, in our case, right next to a busy road in the open,” officials warned. “Please look out for each other and keep our communities strong!”