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Would-Be Kidnapper Asks 13-Year-Old Girl: "Do you need a job? How old are you? You're beautiful."
Police are asking for help in finding a man who allegedly attempted to kidnap a 13-year-old girl as she walked home from middle school.
On Tuesday afternoon, the girl was walking home from Hollenbeck Middle School around 2 pm when the suspect walked up to the girl and blocked her path home, according to a release from the LAPD.
The suspect allegedly asked her, “What’s your name? Do you need a job? How old are you? You’re beautiful. I love your lips.”
What comes afterward sounds like the kind of scary scenario girls' mothers always warn them about: The girl talked to the man briefly, and then walked away. He got back into his car and followed her, asking her if she needed a ride. Then he drove ahead of her and waited for her to walk that way. Once again, he asked her if she wanted money. She yelled "Leave me alone!" and ran away, but he grabbed her by the shoulders and tried to force her into his car. She managed to get away from him and flee into a nearby market where she called for help.
The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic man in his late 30s or early 40s with short hair, a pock-marked face and a tattoo of a dragon or snake on his left forearm. He drives a black sedan with a hood ornament that might be a Mercedes sign or a peace sign. He was wearing a blue short-sleeved dress shirt, black pants and black dress shoes.