Neighbor Saved 8-year-old Girl from Kidnapping by Homeless Woman in California; Suspect Arrested by Authorities

A woman was apprehended by Santa Monica police on Wednesday. She was arrested for the alleged kidnapping attempt of an 8-year-old girl by impersonating a Russian police officer.

The Santa Monica Police Department has reported that Courtney Perrone, aged 39, has a history of multiple arrests in various states for offenses including resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, trespassing, assault, and battery. Perrone was arrested by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department for assault with a deadly weapon, but she was later released due to lack of evidence.

According to investigators, she is wanted in New Hampshire for forgery and intimidation. She is currently on probation for a conviction related to assault with a deadly weapon in Nevada in 2024.

Now, Perrone is facing serious charges of attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment, both of which carry significant legal consequences. According to SMPD, prosecutors have also charged her with a misdemeanor of brandishing.

According to investigators, the incident occurred when the 8-year-old girl was assisting her neighbor in loading multiple pets into a vehicle. Perrone reportedly approached the pair, asserting to be Russian police and stating that she was taking the child away.

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According to Mark, the woman allegedly attempted to persuade the girl to go with her, but he intervened and asked her to depart. Officers reported that she proceeded to kneel down and attempt to separate the child from Mark.

Mark quickly moved the child and placed her in the front seat of his car. Perrone seemed to jot down the vehicle details before attempting to extract the girl from Mark’s car.

When he confronted her once more, she brandished a switchblade knife. Mark swiftly entered her car and drove off while the woman chased after them.

Officers located her in a nearby Gelson’s parking lot next to her white BMW. Authorities suspect she was residing in her vehicle and seemed to be homeless.

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