Police in the San Fernando Valley are seeking the public’s help in identifying and locating a man who lured two girls into his vehicle after following them.
A 21-year-old man followed a 12-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl in his car and repeatedly offered them a ride home from North Hills Park on Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. After the two girls declined the man’s offer twice, they agreed during his third offer and got into the man’s car.
Once the girls were inside his vehicle, the man locked the doors and drove to a different location from where the girls asked to go, LAPD said. Instead, the man pulled into a cul-de-sac in the 8900 block of Lemona Avenue.
The girls were able to run away and call for help. Police said that no force or sex crimes occurred. Law enforcement is investigating the case as a kidnapping.
The man is described as having black hair and brown eyes, weighs about 200 pounds and has tattoos on both of his arms. He was traveling in an older model four-door sedan. The make and model of the vehicle was not provided.
Anyone with cameras in the area of the cul-de-sac or near North Hills Park is urged to contact LAPD at 818-838-9800. Anonymous tips can be made by contacting Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.