Inset: Courtney Perrone (Santa Monica Police Department). According to police, the alley where she attempted to kidnap an 8-year-old girl (CBS News).
California authorities say a woman posing as a “Russian police officer” attempted to kidnap an 8-year-old child, then pulled out a switchblade and stabbed the man who rescued the child.
Courtney Perrone, 39, is charged with attempted kidnapping of a victim under the age of 14, false imprisonment by use of violence and assault with a deadly weapon.
More legal and crime coverage: Man pleads guilty to kidnapping girl who escaped cross-country during kidnapping by waving a “Help me!” sign at strangers
According to Santa Monica police and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, the 8-year-old victim was in an alley helping an adult neighbor load his dogs into his car.
“The suspect approached and said she was from Russian police and was taking the child with her,” police wrote. “Perrone knelt down and put her arms around the child, which led to a tug-of-war between the neighbor and Perrone. The neighbor placed the child in the front seat of his car and told Perrone to drive away. She ignored him and tried to open the car door. When the neighbor confronted her again, Perrone pulled out a switchblade.”
Perrone allegedly fled on foot into the parking lot of a Gelson convenience store, where she had parked her white BMW, which she had been staying in. Police arrested her and she is being held on $135,000 bail. Perrone faces a maximum sentence of 6.5 years in prison. At her arraignment on Friday, she pleaded not guilty and her defense expressed doubts about her sanity. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.
This isn’t the first time she’s gotten into legal trouble. According to police, her criminal history currently includes warrants in New Hampshire for forgery and intimidation (stalking). She is on probation in Nevada, as she is scheduled to be sentenced in 2024 for assault with a deadly weapon. Police also recorded out-of-state arrests for assault, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and trespassing.
“The trauma and fear experienced by this innocent child is unimaginable, and we want to assure her, her family, the second victim, and our community that we will seek justice with the full force of the law,” Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “Attempting to kidnap a child is a heinous crime. We will work to ensure justice is served and that this brave young girl can begin the healing process. Our Bureau of Victim Services stands ready to assist victims and their families in their time of need with trauma-informed services.”
From the police:
Anyone with information regarding this incident or suspect is asked to contact Detective Jauregui at (email protected), Sgt. Haro at (email protected) or the 24/7 Watch Commander Desk at (310) 458-8427.
Do you have a tip we should know? (email protected)
