Homestead police arrested a 56-year-old man Monday afternoon and charged him with trying to abduct a woman taking a walk in her neighborhood.

Deborah L. Eads, 51, told police that a man she didn't know tried to pull her into his vehicle near 18th and McClure streets about 12:45 p.m.

Police an hour later arrested George Hartzer after they spotted a vehicle matching Ms. Eads' description.

Ms. Eads told officers that she fought off the man and ran away. She screamed out the vehicle's license-plate number so she could memorize it, police said.

As she walked back to her home roughly seven blocks away, she noticed the same vehicle following her. Near her house, she said, the vehicle disappeared, and she went inside and called police.

"Ms. Eads is doing well other than being shook up and having a minor asthma attack. She was treated by medics at her home," said Homestead police Chief Jeff Desimone.

At some point, Mr. Hartzer drove past the police station and the chief spotted the vehicle, based on Ms. Eads' description of it.

Officers chased the man through the Homestead business district and eventually arrested him at Dixon Street and East Eighth Avenue, near Homestead's border with Munhall.

Asked whether officers had determined a motive for the alleged attack, Chief DeSimone said, "Good question. He appeared to be highly intoxicated."

Mr. Hartzer was charged with aggravated assault, driving under the influence, resisting arrest, stalking, harassment and other vehicle violations. He was being held in the Allegheny County Jail.

First Published: September 15, 2009, 3:30 p.m.