Santa Monica police arrest woman accused of attempting to kidnap 8-year-old child

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) — A woman was arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap an 8-year-old child in Santa Monica, police said Thursday.

Courtney Perrone, 39, is accused of hugging the child and trying to snatch him from a neighbor.

According to Santa Monica police, officers responded to a call about a suspicious person in the 800 block of the alley south of Maple Street, just north of Ocean Park Boulevard, around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Perrone, who reportedly tried to flee after the failed kidnapping attempt, was found next to her BMW in a Gelson parking lot. She was identified as a suspect by witnesses, police said.

After investigating, police said Perrone approached the child, who was helping a neighbor load several pets into a car. Perrone allegedly said she was a Russian police officer and would take the child with her.

“Perrone knelt down and put her arms around the child, and a tug-of-war ensued between the neighbor and Perrone,” a police news release said.

The neighbor placed the child in the front seat of his vehicle and told Perrone to walk away. Perrone allegedly attempted to open the car door and pulled out a switchblade when the neighbor confronted her again. At this point, Perrone left the scene and was later arrested.

According to police, the child was unharmed.

According to Santa Monica police, Perrone has a previous out-of-state arrest for assault, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and trespassing. Police said she appears to be homeless and living in her BMW.

Perrone was recently released by the Los Angeles Police Department due to insufficient evidence in an alleged assault with a deadly weapon. She is currently on probation for a Nevada case and has a warrant out of New Hampshire for her arrest.

Santa Monica police reported that this is Perrone's first contact with police and that she will be arraigned on Friday. She faces charges of attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment, and the knife is a misdemeanor.

City News Service contributed to this report.