The nerve-wracking moment an elderly Florida woman was almost kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend at gunpoint has been revealed in shocking surveillance footage. 

Jose Tsu Zamora, 64, has been arrested over the attempted abduction outside a church in Port St Lucie, an east coast city located 50 miles north of Palm Beach.

Local police released footage of the incident, which investigators said shows Zamora attempting to kidnap his 74-year-old ex-girlfriend, who has not been identified. 

Port St Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemzyck said Zamora approached the victim to start a conversation with her, before trying to force her into his car at gunpoint. 

However, several people were at the scene outside the First United Methodist Church, and they intervened to help the woman. 

'The courage that they displayed helped disarm a very dangerous, escalating situation,' Niemzyck said. 

Surveillance footage shows Zamora firmly leading the victim by the shoulders towards his vehicle. Police said he was also holding a firearm. 

The victim appeared to fall to the ground beside a tree, while three people rushed over and appeared to speak with Zamora. 

He then fled to Hialeah in Miami County, and investigators tracked him down using license plate readers. 

The victim was shaken up by the incident, but did not suffer any injuries, police said. 

Officials said Zamora previously lived with the victim in Hollywood, but she asked him to leave the house in December due to alleged aggressive behavior. 

'They had a prior romantic relationship which had ended, and it ended allegedly to some infidelities,' Niemzyck said. 

'But he (Zamora) has a significant violent criminal history to include past attempted kidnapping.'

The victim obtained a protective order against Zamora in March after he was arrested for a weapons violation. He is currently living in Fort Pierce. 

Zamora is currently being held at the St Lucie County Jail on a $750,000 bond. 

The Daily Mail has contacted police for more information.