NORTH HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Los Angeles police on Monday released a composite sketch of a kidnapping suspect wanted for luring two girls into a vehicle in North Hills.
Officers responded about 5:20 p.m. March 15 to the 8900 block of Lemona Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The suspect — described as a Hispanic man in his early 20s — allegedly approached two girls, ages 11 and 16, as they were walking near Sepulveda Boulevard and Nordhoff Street and asked if they needed a ride.
The girls initially declined, but were approached again a short time later near Nordhoff Street and Columbus Avenue, where they accepted the offer, police said.
“However, instead of going to the location where the girls instructed him to, the suspect drove to the area of Sunburst and Lemona Avenue … it’s a residential neighborhood, but it’s secluded enough … not enough people or vehicle traffic around,” LAPD Detective Efren Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez said the suspect locked the car doors and offered the girls money, alcohol and drugs. The suspect then unzipped his shorts and asked for sexual favors in exchange for money, Gutierrez said.
“The girls were frightened,” the detective said. “They were able to jump out of the car. The first girl jumped out while the car was stationary, and the second girl jumped out of the car while it was in motion.”
Neither girl was injured, and both screamed for help as the suspect sped away.
“Mission Division detectives arranged for the victims to meet with a forensic composite artist,” the LAPD said in a statement. “An updated community alert is being released.”
Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact LAPD Mission Division detectives at (818) 838-9810. Calls made outside of business hours should be directed to (877) 527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
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