2 child kidnapping attempts in Glendale believed to be connected

GLENDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- Two child kidnappings were attempted in Glendale within 20 minutes of each other on Wednesday, according to police.

Glendale police said they believed the two separate incidents and suspects were connected.

Authorities said the first attempted kidnapping happened at the intersection of Chevy Chase Drive and Adams Street at about 5:10 p.m. A suspect approached a mother who was pushing her 14-month-old child in a stroller and grabbed the child, according to officials.

Police said the mother struggled with the suspect and was able to get her child back. The suspect then ran from the scene.

Police described the suspect as a woman with short black hair wearing heavy-winter style clothing. Officials said the suspect jumped into the driver seat of a small white or silver compact car and fled the scene.

The car's first three license plate characters were possibly 7HY or 7YH, police said.

Authorities said the second child kidnapping attempt happened less than a mile away outside John Marshall Elementary School, located at 1201 East Broadway, at about 5:35 p.m.

An 8-year-old boy called 911 to report someone tried to kidnap his 3-year-old brother.

Police said the victim's mother was standing nearby and was able to stop the kidnapping, forcing the suspect to flee in a small four-door silver sedan.

The 8-year-old boy described the suspect as a man who was dressed like a woman, according to police. The mother described the suspect as a man in his late 40s or 50s with salt-and-pepper hair and a two-day old beard.

She said the suspect was wearing a gray shirt with a multi-colored design on the front.

In both incidents, police said the suspect or suspects approached the children and said, "You're so cute," before grabbing them.

Detectives were attempting to determine if there was only one suspect for the attempted kidnappings, and that the victims were describing the one suspect differently. Police also said they believe the same vehicle was used in both instances, as they described it as a silver car.

Authorities were working with Glendale Unified School officials to notify parents and requested parents to be extra vigilant. Security at the campus was heightened as a precaution Thursday morning.

Anyone with any information about the incidents was urged to call the Glendale Police Department at (818) 548-4911.