Authorities in Orange County are on the lookout for a man who allegedly tried to kidnap a child outside of a Westminster school last Thursday. Westminster Police Department reported that the incident occurred near Brookhurst Street and Bishop Place when a juvenile was leaving school. The suspect, who was sitting in a parked car, asked the girl for directions and then shockingly exposed himself to her. According to the information from the Westminster Police Department's news release provided to CBS Los Angeles, the encounter escalated as the man exited his vehicle, attempted to block the girl's path, and made physical contact while insisting she get into his car.
With a fearful promptness, the girl managed to run away from the man, fleeing towards a woman who was in the area with her child, as described in the official news post by the Westminster Police Department. Escaping the grasp of the suspect, he entered his car once more and drove off in the opposite direction. The police have given a description of the man: approximately 5-foot-7 and weighing about 200 pounds, last seen wearing a blue and white short-sleeve button-down shirt and dark pants, accessorized with a particularly notable face mask imprinted with dinosaurs.
The Westminster Police Department also mentioned the involvement of an unidentified good Samaritan, the woman who inadvertently became a beacon of safety for the distressed child. Investigators are trying to find this woman as they believe she could offer critical details about the event. In the midst of processing the scene, they were unable to locate her and have since reached out to the public for assistance.
Details of the suspect's vehicle were provided, adding to the profile of a suspect on the loose. They are looking for an older model gray sedan connected to the crime. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Detective J. Barnes at (714) 548-3784 or the Westminster Police Watch Commander at (714) 548-3767, and they can also reach out to Orange County Crime Stoppers for anonymous tips. As noted in their appeal for public assistance, information is vital to ensure the safety of the community's children and bring the perpetrator to justice.
