LAPD: Two attempted kidnappings may be linked
LOS ANGELES --Police in Los Angeles say two recent attempted kidnappings may be connected, reports CBS Los Angeles.
The first incident was reported Aug. 10, when they say a man scaled a fence and attempted to kidnap two toddlers. The Los Angeles Times reported the children were playing outside a home with five other children when the suspect grabbed them and attempted to carry them away.
He dropped the toddlers and fled when the other frightened children began to scream, the paper reports.
"This is extremely concerning to us because obviously it appears to be planned based on the way he was dressed and trying to disguise himself and [it] being a brazen attempted abduction," LAPD Capt. Vito Palazzolo reportedly said at the time.
Detectives said the suspect was then caught on security video driving away in a red pickup truck. Officials released a sketch of the suspect.
Police say the same suspect may have been involved in a second incident reported in Los Angeles Wednesday, Aug. 26, reports CBS Los Angeles.
According to the station, a man matching the first suspect's description -- wearing a wide-brimmed hat and braces -- asked a woman for directions while he sat inside a white Chevy Astro van. He then showed the victim porn on his cellphone, the station reports.
"In Spanish, the suspect said to her, 'Get in the van or you know what will happen'," said LAPD Lt. Jonathan Tom.
The victim reportedly said a handgun was in plain sight in the van's center console, so she fled and contacted police.
Detectives described the suspect as a Hispanic man who was last seen wearing a wide-brimmed hat. He has braces with blue rubber bands.
The white van he drove had a utility rack on it.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call (213) 382-9102.