Two brothers, aged eight and 12, are back home tonight after being snatched from their beds while asleep in the early hours of this morning.
Police allege the man first entered the Moora home, 177km north of Perth, around 4am and abducted eight-year-old James.
The alleged offender then is said to have brazenly returned to the property and tried to take the boy’s brother, Fabiano.
However the 12-year-old managed to break free and ran back into the home to alert an adult, police said.
“The 12-year-old boy’s courage and bravery to get himself out of that situation was tremendous,” Inspector Kareene Santoro said.
Police said CCTV indicated the man walked right into the front of the house before walking out with the first young child.
Officers searched the area and found James three hours later at a nearby home, in what police described as a “distressed” state.
Both children were taken to hospital for a medical checks but quickly released.
Forensic police have been brought in from Perth to examine the scene around the Moora home, while specialist police interview the young brothers.
The man has been arrested and is helping detectives with inquiries.
