Police yesterday sought the public's help in finding a man who kidnapped and raped a woman whose car stalled in Kalihi Kai Wednesday night.

The 44-year-old woman had parked her overheating car with its hood up on Pu'uhale Road near Homerule Street about 7:30 p.m. when a man drove up and asked if she needed help, police said. The woman refused and the man drove off.

The man returned minutes later and grabbed the woman from behind while she was bent over looking at her car's engine, police said. He forced her into his car, took her to a Hart Street location and assaulted her, said Sgt. Kim Buffett, police department CrimeStoppers coordinator.

The woman fought off her assailant and escaped. Police yesterday released a sketch of the suspect, who was described as 5 feet 4 to 5-5, and 150 pounds, with brown eyes and short brown hair.

Buffett said the abduction happened in a fairly well-lit area and not far from a fast-food restaurant. "This was a brazen act," Buffett said. "Somebody had to have seen the vehicle in the area."

There are no similar cases reported to police, Buffett said.

The assailant's car was described as a dark green two-door with gray primer spots on the hood. The woman told police that the car, believed to be an American model, has wires hanging from the ignition and tinted windows.

Police Capt. Frank Fujii cautioned women to take safety precautions whenever they have car trouble at night. "You can't take anything for granted and let your guard down," Fujii said.

Anyone with information can call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone. Free cell calls are provided by Cingular, Nextel, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.