Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Video Shows Northridge Kidnapping Suspect Made a Run For the Border
The prime suspect in a harrowing kidnapping involving a young girl being abducted in the middle of the night from inside her own Northridge home has been spotted on video crossing over into Mexico, says Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck.Footage shows Tobias Dustin Summers, 32, "crossing over a footbridge into Tecate, Mexico, a few days ago, Beck said," reports the L.A. Times.
It is not known if Summers has crossed back into the U.S.
Soon after Summers was identified as the prime suspect in the case authorities said they suspected he had fled to the San Diego area.
Summers, though not in custody, was charged Wednesday with 6 counts of sexual assault, as well as kidnapping and first-degree burglary. Having existing charges filed against Summers could make extraditing the career criminal from another state or Mexico easier.
Support for LAist comes from
Also charged was Summers' alleged accomplice, Daniel Martinez.
Martinez is considered the less culpable perpetrator in the case. The victim, a ten-year-old girl, was found about 12 hours later after she was dropped off at a strip mall approximately six miles from her home. She had been taken to multiple locations and was allegedly sexually assaulted. During the ordeal she also suffered minor cuts and bruises, and was deposited barefoot outside a Starbucks.
Authorities allege Martinez waiting in the car while Summers removed the girl from the home.
The incident may have begun as a burglary that escalated to a kidnapping.
Both men have extensive rap sheets.
Previously
Northridge Kidnapping: Alleged Abductors Both Charged, But Prime Suspect Still At Large
Police Arrest Man In Kidnapping of Northridge Girl, But He's Not the Prime Suspect
Photo: Police Name Suspect Accused Of Kidnapping 10-Year-Old Northridge Girl
Police Probe Connection Between Northridge Abduction and 2008 Kidnappings
10-Year-Old Northridge Girl Abducted From Home, Held Captive Nearly 12 Hours
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist