LA cops search for potential kidnapped girl, who witnesses say was dragged away

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - Police searched Tuesday for a young girl after witnesses reported seeing her dragged by the hair up a brushy hillside east of downtown Los Angeles.

The girl - believed to be 13 or older - apparently was kidnapped Monday night during an argument with a man who may be 16 to 18, police said.

"That argument escalated to the point where the male struck the female at least once in the face and then began to drag her up into the brush area by the hair," police Lt. Andy Neiman said.

Witnesses followed and saw the man begin to remove some of the girls' clothing, he said.

Officers found leggings and tennis shoes before temporarily calling off the search late Monday in El Sereno. No reports of a missing girl had been filed, but the witnesses seemed credible, police said.

According to CBS Los Angeles, authorities say witnesses describe the potential victim as a very petite young woman with a light complexion.

Officers on foot and horseback, aided by dogs and helicopters, planned to scour a 350-acre area.