Girl jumps from moving car to escape kidnapping in North Hills, police say

NORTH HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Two girls were able to escape a frightening kidnapping in North Hills on Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Los Angeles police said the girls - ages 11 and 16 - were first contacted at North Hills Community Park, near Acre Street and Columbus Avenue. He said the suspect pulled up next to the girls late Sunday afternoon and offered them a ride. The girls declined and continued walking.

Several blocks away, the suspect approached the girls a second time, according to Gutierrez. They again refused.

However, Detective Efren Gutierrez said the man continued tracking the girls, offering them a ride a third time at Nordhoff Street and Columbus Avenue. That time, the girls accepted.

The detective said the girls entered the vehicle, which headed eastbound.

"However, instead of going to the location where the girls instructed him to, the suspect drove to the area of Sunburst and Lemona Avenue ... it's a residential neighborhood, but it's secluded enough ... not enough people or vehicle traffic around," Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said the suspect locked the car doors and offered the girls money, alcohol and drugs. He then unzipped his shorts where he asked for sexual favors in exchange for money, Gutierrez said.

"The girls were frightened," he said. "They were able to jump out of the car. The first girl jumped out while the car was stationary, and the second girl jumped out of the car while it was in motion."

Neither girl was injured, and both screamed for help as the suspect sped away.

The investigation remains ongoing. A detailed description of the suspect was not immediately available. He was described only as a man in his early 20s.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story identified both victims as teenagers. Police later said they are 11 and 16 years old. The story has been updated to reflect the new information.