Apple Valley jogger escapes kidnapping attempt; search for 2 suspects

APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Two men attempted to kidnap a woman who was jogging in Apple Valley, and authorities say there have been similar crimes reported in the area.

Deputies said on Oct. 9 at about 7:15 a.m., a 20-year-old woman was jogging along the 20000 block of Nisqually Road when two men in a white Ford van got out and confronted her.

Darlene Lacy, the mother of the victim's roommate, said the woman spotted the van from a distance.

"She was jogging and came home and noticed there was a van parked in front of this boarded up house," Lacy said.

One man asked the victim, "Hey where are you going," and attempted to grab the woman's wrist and force her toward the van, according to deputies.

"I guess she was walking toward the house and before she knew it the guy had her arm, holding onto it really tight," Lacy said.

The woman pulled away from the man then ran to a nearby home and called 911.

As she ran away, Lacy said the victim attempted to take a picture of the van's license plates, but realized it didn't have any.

There have been at least two similar reports in the Victor Valley area where women where approached or grabbed, and deputies said they may be related to this incident.

The sheriff's department said the suspects target women jogging in the early morning hours.

The first suspect was described by officials as a Hispanic man, 35 to 45 years old, 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall, about 170 pounds, with a thick Hispanic accent. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, gray beanie and black pants.

The second suspect was described as a Hispanic man about 50 years old, between 200 and 210 pounds, and last seen wearing a green beanie and unknown clothing.

The van was described by officials as an older, white, full-sized panel Ford van with a black full-length roof rack.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or similar incidents is urged to call the We-tip Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME.