Girl Escapes Attempted Kidnapping

A man with a "bushy" handlebar-type mustache is being sought by police after he attempted to pull a 17-year-old girl into a minivan Sunday morning on Pico Boulevard.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic in his mid to late 30's; 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a stocky build; brown hair and "bushy" handlebar type mustache/goatee. He was wearing a black t-shirt, dark blue jeans and black shoes.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, at 8:42 a.m. Sunday, the girl was walking east in the 2900 block of Pico Boulevard when she was suddenly grabbed by a man standing alongside his parked car. The car's passenger side door was open.

"The suspect attempted to force the victim into the vehicle, and a struggle ensued," police Sgt. Richard Lewis wrote in a press release. "The victim managed to free herself and ran into a nearby restaurant for safety."

The man got into his car and fled, speeding southbound on 30th street. The girl sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital and then released, police said.

He was driving a mid-1990s model van, possibly a Toyota Previa with two characters of the rear license plate identified as “Z” and “6.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8942 or Sgt. Ira Rutan at (310) 458-8959 or the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at (310) 458-8495.

To remain anonymous, call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-78-27463), or submit the tip online at wetip.com. You will remain completely anonymous and may be eligible for a reward, up to $1,000.00, if your information leads to an arrest and conviction. Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers by either calling (800) 222-TIPS, texting from your mobile, or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org. Callers may remain anonymous and may be qualified to receive a $1,000.00 reward by Crime Stoppers.