Petaluma Man Arrested For Attempted Kidnapping

A Petaluma man was arrested Saturday morning after he allegedly tried to lure a 13-year-old girl into his car in front of an off-duty police officer.

Police say 59-year-old Seyed Ferdows was seen pulling up to a 13-year-old girl on Ely Boulevard South at Frates Road just after 11 a.m. and motioning with his hand for the girl to get in his car.

He then allegedly opened his car door and continued to motion to the girl, who ran away.

An off-duty Petaluma police sergeant who was in the area at the time saw the incident. He dropped his wife off with the victim and drove after the suspect.

Ferdows was stopped several blocks away and arrested on suspicion of annoying or molesting a child.

Police are now looking for any witnesses. A female jogger wearing black running tights and a pink t-shirt was seen running past the victim, but could not be located after a search of the area. The suspect was driving a black Toyota 4-door Corolla.

A week ago, Petaluma Police Department reported a suspicious man who insisted on offering a girl a ride near Casa Grande High School. The girl declined and notified the police. No suspects have been apprehended in the case.

Bay City News