Topline: Investigators say the girls were lured into a car after being approached three times and managed to escape after the suspect drove them to a quiet neighborhood.
Published: March 19, 2026 12:01 pm ET
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LOS ANGELES, CA — Two teenage girls managed a dramatic escape after a man allegedly lured them into his car and drove them to a secluded North Hills neighborhood Sunday evening, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The encounter began around 5:20 p.m. near North Hills Park at Columbus Avenue and Acre Street, where the girls — reported by KTLA as ages 12 and 16, though KABC identified them as 13 and 16 — were walking together when the suspect first approached them from inside his vehicle.
According to KABC, the man pulled up alongside the teens and offered them a ride, which they declined before continuing on foot. Detective Efren Gutierrez said the suspect returned a second time several blocks away and again offered them a ride, only to be refused once more.
But authorities say the man persisted.
On a third encounter near Nordhoff Street and Columbus Avenue, the suspect again offered the girls a ride. This time, they accepted, according to both KTLA and KABC.
What followed quickly escalated into what police describe as a kidnapping.
“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,” Gutierrez told KABC.
KTLA reported the suspect drove the girls to a cul-de-sac in the 8900 block of Lemona Avenue and locked the vehicle’s doors.
Gutierrez said the situation inside the car became increasingly alarming.
“He offered the girls money, alcohol and drugs,” Gutierrez said. He then unzipped his shorts and “asked for sexual favors in exchange for money.”
“The girls were frightened,” Gutierrez 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.”
According to KABC, both girls screamed for help as the suspect sped away. Neither was injured.
KTLA reported the suspect is believed to be a 21-year-old Hispanic male with black hair, brown eyes, weighing approximately 200 pounds, and with tattoos on both arms. His vehicle was described as an older-model four-door sedan with an unknown license plate. KABC noted only that he was described as a man in his early 20s.
Detectives believe the suspect may frequent several locations in the North Hills area, including Sepulveda Boulevard and Nordhoff Street, Nordhoff Street and Columbus Avenue, Sunburst Street and Lemona Avenue, and North Hills Park, according to KTLA.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to contact Mission Area Detectives at (818) 838-9810 or the Mission Area Front Desk at (818) 838-9800. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Two Teen Girls Escape Alleged Kidnapping Attempt in LA, Police Say
Investigators say the girls were lured into a car after being approached three times and managed to escape after the suspect drove them to a quiet neighborhood.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 19, 2026 12:01 pm ET
LOS ANGELES, CA — Two teenage girls managed a dramatic escape after a man allegedly lured them into his car and drove them to a secluded North Hills neighborhood Sunday evening, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The encounter began around 5:20 p.m. near North Hills Park at Columbus Avenue and Acre Street, where the girls — reported by KTLA as ages 12 and 16, though KABC identified them as 13 and 16 — were walking together when the suspect first approached them from inside his vehicle.
According to KABC, the man pulled up alongside the teens and offered them a ride, which they declined before continuing on foot. Detective Efren Gutierrez said the suspect returned a second time several blocks away and again offered them a ride, only to be refused once more.
But authorities say the man persisted.
On a third encounter near Nordhoff Street and Columbus Avenue, the suspect again offered the girls a ride. This time, they accepted, according to both KTLA and KABC.
What followed quickly escalated into what police describe as a kidnapping.
“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,” Gutierrez told KABC.
KTLA reported the suspect drove the girls to a cul-de-sac in the 8900 block of Lemona Avenue and locked the vehicle’s doors.
Gutierrez said the situation inside the car became increasingly alarming.
“He offered the girls money, alcohol and drugs,” Gutierrez said. He then unzipped his shorts and “asked for sexual favors in exchange for money.”
“The girls were frightened,” Gutierrez 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.”
According to KABC, both girls screamed for help as the suspect sped away. Neither was injured.
KTLA reported the suspect is believed to be a 21-year-old Hispanic male with black hair, brown eyes, weighing approximately 200 pounds, and with tattoos on both arms. His vehicle was described as an older-model four-door sedan with an unknown license plate. KABC noted only that he was described as a man in his early 20s.
Detectives believe the suspect may frequent several locations in the North Hills area, including Sepulveda Boulevard and Nordhoff Street, Nordhoff Street and Columbus Avenue, Sunburst Street and Lemona Avenue, and North Hills Park, according to KTLA.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to contact Mission Area Detectives at (818) 838-9810 or the Mission Area Front Desk at (818) 838-9800. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Two Teen Girls Escape Alleged Kidnapping Attempt in LA, Police Say
Investigators say the girls were lured into a car after being approached three times and managed to escape after the suspect drove them to a quiet neighborhood.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 19, 2026 12:01 pm ET
LOS ANGELES, CA — Two teenage girls managed a dramatic escape after a man allegedly lured them into his car and drove them to a secluded North Hills neighborhood Sunday evening, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The encounter began around 5:20 p.m. near North Hills Park at Columbus Avenue and Acre Street, where the girls — reported by KTLA as ages 12 and 16, though KABC identified them as 13 and 16 — were walking together when the suspect first approached them from inside his vehicle.
According to KABC, the man pulled up alongside the teens and offered them a ride, which they declined before continuing on foot. Detective Efren Gutierrez said the suspect returned a second time several blocks away and again offered them a ride, only to be refused once more.
But authorities say the man persisted.
On a third encounter near Nordhoff Street and Columbus Avenue, the suspect again offered the girls a ride. This time, they accepted, according to both KTLA and KABC.
What followed quickly escalated into what police describe as a kidnapping.
“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,” Gutierrez told KABC.
KTLA reported the suspect drove the girls to a cul-de-sac in the 8900 block of Lemona Avenue and locked the vehicle’s doors.
Gutierrez said the situation inside the car became increasingly alarming.
“He offered the girls money, alcohol and drugs,” Gutierrez said. He then unzipped his shorts and “asked for sexual favors in exchange for money.”
“The girls were frightened,” Gutierrez 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.”
According to KABC, both girls screamed for help as the suspect sped away. Neither was injured.
KTLA reported the suspect is believed to be a 21-year-old Hispanic male with black hair, brown eyes, weighing approximately 200 pounds, and with tattoos on both arms. His vehicle was described as an older-model four-door sedan with an unknown license plate. KABC noted only that he was described as a man in his early 20s.
Detectives believe the suspect may frequent several locations in the North Hills area, including Sepulveda Boulevard and Nordhoff Street, Nordhoff Street and Columbus Avenue, Sunburst Street and Lemona Avenue, and North Hills Park, according to KTLA.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to contact Mission Area Detectives at (818) 838-9810 or the Mission Area Front Desk at (818) 838-9800. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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