A deranged 39-year-old woman claiming to be from the Russian police allegedly attempted to kidnap an 8-year-old girl before the child was rescued by her neighbor, who is like an “uncle” to the little girl.
The suspected child snatcher, identified as Courtney Perrone, approached the girl as she helped her neighbor load some animals into his car Wednesday afternoon, local sources reported. ABC7 News reported.
Perrone ran up to the vehicle parked south of Maple Street in Santa Monica and placed his arms around the girl before yelling, “That’s my daughter, that’s my daughter.”
A tug-of-war ensued between the neighbor and Perrone, and at one point the attacker held a knife to the man’s face before fleeing the scene.
Shortly afterward, police found her in the parking lot of Gelson’s, a local grocery store. Witnesses told officers that she was the person who tried to kidnap the girl.
Courtney Perrone, 39, faces felony charges of attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment, and a misdemeanor charge for the knife.
Mark fought with Perrone after she attempted to kidnap the 8-year-old girl Wednesday afternoon.
Police were called to Maple Street, a community in Santa Monica where the kidnapping attempt was foiled.
Police said Perrone was homeless and appeared to be living in his BMW.
The neighbor, who identified himself as Mark, said the boy was like a niece to him and that the woman “acted like he was her son,” according to the outlet.
She recalled her disheveled appearance and explained: “She had lipstick all over her face and looked a bit crazy and stuff.”
She added: “She said: ‘I am the Russian police and I am here to save you.'”
Perrone faces felony charges of attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment, and a misdemeanor charge for the knife. His arraignment was held Friday.
Perrone, pictured with red lipstick all over her face, is homeless and lives in her BMW, police said.
The Santa Monica Police Department said this is his first incident with the department, but he has prior arrests out of state for assault and battery, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and trespassing.
Perrone was involved in an alleged assault with a deadly weapon in Los Angeles, but was released due to lack of evidence.
He is currently on probation stemming from a case in Nevada and has an outstanding arrest warrant in New Hampshire, according to the outlet.
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