Two teenage girls in Los Angeles survived an alleged predator’s trap by doing the one thing every parent prays their child will never have to do: jump out of a car to save their lives.
Quick Take
- LAPD says two girls in North Hills escaped an attempted kidnapping after a man repeatedly pressured them into his car and then locked the doors.
- Investigators allege the suspect drove them to a secluded cul-de-sac, offered money, alcohol, and drugs, and demanded sexual favors.
- One girl escaped when the car stopped; the other jumped from the moving vehicle—both reportedly avoided injury.
- The suspect, described as a 21-year-old Hispanic man with arm tattoos driving an older four-door sedan, was still at large as of March 18.
How the North Hills Encounter Turned Into a Kidnapping Scare
LAPD reports the incident began around 5:20 p.m. Sunday, March 17, when the girls—described as teens, with ages reported as 12 or 13 and 16—were walking near North Hills Park around Columbus Avenue and Acre Street. Police say a man in an older four-door sedan offered them a ride, they declined, and he persisted. After additional offers several blocks later near Nordhoff Street and Columbus Avenue, investigators say the girls got into the vehicle.
According to police and reporting based on LAPD statements, the dynamic changed immediately once the girls were inside. Officers say the suspect locked the car doors and drove to a low-traffic cul-de-sac near Sunburst Street and Lemona Avenue in the 8900 block—an isolated setting that reduced the girls’ ability to get help quickly. In that area, investigators allege the man offered money, alcohol, and drugs, then escalated into sexual demands while unzipping his shorts.
The Escape: A Stop, a Jump, and Seconds That Mattered
LAPD says the girls escaped in two separate moments, and both choices likely saved them. Investigators report one girl got out while the suspect’s vehicle was stopped, creating a brief window to flee before he could regain control. Police say the second girl jumped from the car while it was moving—an act that can cause severe injury, but authorities reported neither girl was injured. The suspect then sped away, leaving detectives to reconstruct the route and search for the vehicle.
The reports share core facts but include small inconsistencies—most notably whether the younger girl was 12 or 13—suggesting routine early-reporting variation rather than a change in the underlying narrative. What remains consistent is the alleged pattern of predatory “luring”: repeated offers, a confined space created by locked doors, and an attempt to isolate victims in a quieter residential pocket. Those details matter because they help families understand what warning signs to take seriously, even in familiar neighborhoods.
What Police Know About the Suspect—and What They Still Need
As of March 18, LAPD said the suspect remained at large. Authorities described him as a 21-year-old Hispanic man, roughly 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, and tattoos on his arms. Police also said he was driving an older four-door sedan, though publicly available reporting did not provide a license plate number or a confirmed make and model. Investigators indicated the suspect was believed to frequent the area, making community awareness and tips especially important.
A Public-Safety Reality Check for Families and Neighborhoods
This case also highlights a hard reality: public parks and the surrounding streets are normal parts of family life, yet they can create opportunities for opportunistic criminals. The girls were approached in daylight, in a residential area, and the escalation happened fast once they were inside a vehicle. For parents and grandparents, the straightforward takeaway isn’t partisan—it’s practical: teach kids to trust their instincts, stay in pairs, avoid accepting rides, and recognize that persistence from a stranger is a red flag, not politeness.
LAPD asked anyone with information to contact the Mission Area at 818-838-9810, or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. With no arrest announced in the available reporting, the investigation depends on the kind of basic civic cooperation that shouldn’t be controversial: neighbors reviewing cameras, witnesses speaking up, and officials moving quickly to stop a suspect who police believe attempted to isolate and exploit minors. Until that happens, families in the area are left relying on vigilance.
Sources:
Two Teen Girls Escape Kidnapping After Jumping Out of Car in LA
Suspect Sought in Attempted Kidnapping of 2 Girls in North Hills
