Whittier kidnappings have residents on alert

WHITTIER, Calif. -- Police are asking for the public's help to catch a man who has tried to kidnap several girls in Whittier.

The latest incident happened Thursday afternoon near Broadway and Citrus Avenue in front of Founders Memorial Park.

An 11-year-old girl was walking when a man grabbed her and threw her in his car. A 7-year-old girl was already in the back seat, crying. Both girls managed to escape.

This is the third such incident this month. Whittier police say back on Feb. 5, the same suspect tried to kidnap a 17-year-old girl near Broadway Park by trying to lure her into his car.

"He persisted by pulling in front of her, opening the door, trying to lure her into the vehicle. She said no again, then ran away, then contacted us," described Officer Bradley White with Whittier police. White said later that same day, witnesses described seeing two teenage girls arguing with someone in a red convertible with a tan and beige top.

The witness first thought it was just an argument, but alerted police after seeing the girls run away.

"This is horrible. I have two little girls, a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old, and you always think you live in a safe area, so it's very scary," said Whittier resident Josephine San Lucas.

Police are looking for a Hispanic man in his mid-20s to mid-30s, about 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall, with short black hair. He has a tattoo of three dots on his left hand and is said to be driving a red convertible with a significant dent and a tan roof.

If you have information that can help investigators, you're urged to call Whittier police at (562) 567-9241.

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