Woman kidnapped, forced into car boot and dumped in Mt Pleasant

DETECTIVES ARE investigating a reported kidnapping in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday night.

Detectives from the Ballarat Crime Investigation unit understand a 19-year-old woman was driving along Humffray Street South when she pulled over to the side of the road to allow a light-coloured sedan to pass by as it had been following her.

Instead of continuing up the road, the car parked in front of her.

A male and two females then jumped from their sedan and forced the woman into the boot.

The victim was driven around in the boot of the car for about 10 minutes before the car was stopped a short distance from where the ordeal commenced.

The incident occurred not far from the Redan Wetlands, near the Yarrowee River.

The victim's ordeal occurred not far from the Redan Wetlands, near the Yarrowee River, about 9.30pm.

Emergency services - police, firefighters and paramedics - responded soon after.

Police attended the incident, calling in firefighters to assist with rescuing the woman from the boot of the car.

Ambulance Victoria was also called to assess the teenager.

Paramedics assessed the 19-year-old and transported her to Ballarat Base Hospital in a stable condition with minor injuries.

While police investigations are continuing, police stressed that there is no ongoing threat to the broader community.

The two parties involved are believed to be known to each other.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any dashcam footage from the area around the time of the offence is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppers.vic.gov.au