Sgt. Carlos Alvarez from the Maywood Police Department said the man yelled at her to get in the vehicle.
"She got scared, and she ran to a friend's house, but she wasn't home," Alvarez said. "She left and started walking back towards her house and the suspect saw her again and got out of the truck and chased her."
Authorities said the teen was not harmed and was able to get to another house for help.
"These people like that, they're sick people," said neighbor David Prieto.
Prieto said his son and other children in the neighborhood walk to school in the area every day.
"Everybody's on their toes right now, waiting to see what's going on," he said.
The suspect was described as a Hispanic man in his mid-30s, about 5 feet, 11 inches tall, 170 pounds, with dark curly hair, brown eyes, acne scars and a mole on his right cheek.
He drove off in a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Ford Expedition.
Police are urging parents to not allow children of any age walk to school alone.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Maywood Police Department at (323) 562-5005.
