Burbank Middle School Student Foils Kidnapping Attempt

A 12-year-old girl from Luther Burbank Middle School kept herself from being pulled into a van during a kidnapping attempt by holding onto a fence, according to North Hollywood Police detectives.

The incident happened at 7 a.m. on the first day of school on Monday, and occurred in an alley next to the Metro Gold Line between Avenue 60 and Avenue 61 in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles.

The girl was on her way to Burbank Middle School and was walking alone.

A man got out of the van and pretended to inspect his vehicle and as the girl passed he grabbed her from behind and tried to pull her into the van. She scrambled to hold onto a wrought-iron fence, and immediately began yelling for help while still holding onto the fence.

The suspect released the girl and drove away.

The suspect was described as between 20 and 30 years old, standing about 5-foot-11, weighing 185 and wearing two studded earrings. His van was described as royal blue, an older model, with dark tint on all the windows.

The van could be a 2002 Ford Econoline or Chevrolet Astro Van and could be a faded light blue color.

Burbank Middle School is of the closest feeder schools to Walter Reed and Millikan middle schools.

If you have any further information or recognize the suspect, contact 213-485-2942.