8.22.24: The SMPD says it arrested a 40 year old homeless woman for trying to kidnap an 8 year old girl. This was the second time in 2 weeks that a homeless woman tried to kidnap a girl (but the 2 incidents were not related). This time, the girl and her neighbor were in an alley loading pets into a car.
Witnesses called to report "a suspicious person in the 800 block of the alley south of Maple Street," wrote Erika Aklufi, in a press release. The suspect, Courtney Perrone, 40, pretended to be a Russian police officer. She is a parolee who was arrested by the LAPD two weeks ago for assault with a deadly weapon, but released for insufficient evidence.
The witness told 911 that "the female suspect attempted to grab an 8-year-old child and run off with her. A second reporting party told officers the female suspect fled southbound toward the Gelson's parking lot. The child was not harmed."
"Officers located the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Courtney Perrone, standing next to a white BMW in the Gelson's parking lot." The girl was in the alley with an adult neighbor, Mark, helping to put several pets into the neighbor's vehicle.
"She's like my neice; I love her to death," the neighbor, Mark, told KABC news. Mark tried to pull her away but she wouldn't let go. "I'm the Russian police, I'm here to save this girl," said Perrone. "She had lipstick all over her face, and looked a little crazy. She pulled a switchblade on me," said Mark.
"The suspect approached saying she was Russian police and that she was taking the child. Perrone knelt and put her arms around the child and a tug of war between the neighbor and Perrone ensued." The suspect left but was identified by the Police in the Gelson's parking lot, where she was arrested.
:The neighbor put the child in the front seat of his vehicle and told Perrone to leave. She ignored him and attempted to open the door of the car. When the neighbor confronted her again, Perrone produced a switchblade knife. She left on foot in the alley and was later detained," police said.
"Perrone appears to be homeless and is living out of her vehicle (the BMW). She has multiple prior out of state arrests for assault and battery, resisting arrest, possession of controlled substance, and trespassing."
"The suspect was recently arrested by LAPD's Pacific Division for Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Not a Firearm) but was released for insufficient evidence. She has outstanding warrants from New Hampshire for Forgery and Intimidation (Stalking). She is currently on probation out of Nevada for a 2024 Assault with a Deadly Weapon conviction. This is her first contact with the SMPD.
Perrone will be arraigned on August 23rd. She faces felony charges of Attempted Kidnapping (207(a) PC) and False Imprisonment (237(a) PC). She will also be charged with misdemeanor Brandishing (417 PC).
Anyone with information about this incident or suspect is asked to contact Detective Jauregui at [email protected], Sgt. Haro at [email protected], or the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.