David Polanco, 41, was arrested around 2 p.m. Wednesday on the 6700 Block of Greenleaf Avenue. According to investigators, the 18-year-old victim met the suspect earlier in the day and spent hours walking with him in the Uptown Whittier area.
The victim told police that at some point Polanco grabbed her around the waist from behind and attempted to pull her into an alley. Witnesses who saw the victim struggle with Polanco called police.
Polanco tried to flee, but some witnesses detained him until authorities arrived. He was charged with kidnapping and held on $100,050 bail.
Investigators said Thursday that Polanco is not believed to have been involved in recent kidnapping attempts in Whittier.
