A peaceful afternoon in Santa Monica took a terrifying turn when a 39-year-old woman, claiming to be from the Russian police, allegedly attempted to abduct an 8-year-old girl. The bizarre and alarming incident was interrupted by a neighbor, who heroically stepped in to protect the child.
A Disturbing Confrontation
The incident unfolded as the young girl was helping her neighbor load animals into his car. Suddenly, the woman, identified as Courtney Perrone, rushed towards the parked vehicle and laid her hands on the child, shouting, “That’s my daughter, that’s my daughter.” The situation escalated into a tense “tug of war” between Perrone and the neighbor, who is like an “uncle” to the girl. At one point, Perrone brandished a switchblade, threatening the neighbor before fleeing the scene.
Quick Police Response
Santa Monica police quickly tracked down Perrone in the parking lot of a local grocery store, Gelson’s. Witnesses confirmed she was the woman who had attempted the abduction. According to authorities, Perrone was homeless and appeared to be living out of her BMW.
The Heroic Neighbor’s Account
The neighbor, who identified himself as Mark, shared his perspective on the terrifying event. He described the girl as a niece to him and expressed shock at how Perrone was behaving. “She looked a little crazy,” he said, recalling her disheveled appearance with lipstick smeared across her face. Perrone had declared, “I’m the Russian police, and I’m here to save you,” further adding to the surreal nature of the encounter.
Legal Consequences and Troubling Past
Perrone now faces serious charges, including felony attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment, along with a misdemeanor for the knife. This was her first incident with the Santa Monica Police Department, but her criminal history stretches across state lines. She has prior arrests for assault, battery, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, and trespassing. In Los Angeles, she was involved in an alleged assault with a deadly weapon but was released due to insufficient evidence. Perrone is also on probation from a case in Nevada and has an outstanding warrant for her arrest in New Hampshire.
A Community on Edge
This unsettling incident has left the Santa Monica community on high alert. While the child was safely rescued, the close call serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise unexpectedly, even in familiar surroundings. As the legal process unfolds, residents are undoubtedly grateful for the neighbor’s quick thinking and courage that likely prevented a far worse outcome.
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