Community Rallies as Two Girls Escape from Locked Car in North Hills; Search for Suspect Ongoing
Search Underway for Kidnapping Suspect in North Hills Area
LOS ANGELES – Authorities are intensifying their search for a suspect linked to the alleged kidnapping of two young girls in the North Hills area. The incident, which drew significant police attention, occurred on March 15 around 5:20 p.m.
LAPD officers reported that the suspect, described as a man in his early 20s, approached an 11-year-old and a 16-year-old girl near Sepulveda Boulevard and Nordhoff Street. Initially, the girls declined his offer for a ride. However, after he approached them a second time near Columbus Avenue, they accepted.
Once inside the vehicle, the suspect disregarded their requested destination, instead driving towards Lemona Avenue. Investigators stated that he locked the doors of the car, then began making inappropriate requests. Panic ensued as the girls screamed for help, leading them to forcefully exit the moving vehicle. During their escape, both girls fell onto the pavement, sustaining minor injuries.
In response to the incident, detectives are working with the victims to create a forensic composite sketch of the suspect. Meanwhile, police are appealing for information from the public. They are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have witnessed a vehicle leaving the 8900 block of Lemona Avenue on the evening of March 15.
The LAPD encourages anyone with information related to this case to contact the Mission Division at 818-838-9810 during business hours or 877-527-3247 after hours. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
