A woman was arrested last week after she tried to kidnap an 8-year-old girl, telling an adult who was with the girl that she was Russian police and was taking the child.
Courtney Perrone, 40, has been charged with one count of attempted kidnapping/victim under 14 years old, one count of false imprisonment by violence, and one count of assault with a deadly weapon, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.
She pleaded not guilty, the the proceedings were suspended pending a mental health evaluation.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, the incident took place at about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday in a residential alley. The child victim was helping an adult neighbor put several pets into the neighbor’s vehicle when Perrone approached and told them she was with the Russian police was taking the child.
She knelt and wrapped her arms around the child, launching a “tug of war between the neighbor and Perrone.” The neighbor prevailed and put the girl into the front seat of his vehicle.
“Perrone ignored him and attempted to open the door of the car,” police said. “When the neighbor confronted her again, Perrone produced a switchblade knife.”
She fled on foot however, while the neighbor called 911. A second 911 call told officers the suspect had fled toward a grocery story parking lot, which is where they found her.
Santa Monica Police said that Perrone has outstanding warrants in New Hampshire for forgery and stalking and is on probation in Nevada for a conviction earlier this year for assault with a deadly weapon. She was previously arrested in Los Angeles for assault with a deadly weapon but was released for insufficient evidence.
