Santa Monica woman arrested for attempted kidnapping of 8-year-old girl

Santa Monica police arrested a woman on Wednesday after she allegedly attempted to kidnap an 8-year-old girl while posing as a Russian police officer.

The suspect, 39-year-old Courtney Perrone, has multiple arrests in different states for resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, trespassing, assault and battery, according to Santa Monica police. Los Angeles Police Department officers arrested Perrone for assault with a deadly weapon, but she was released due to insufficient evidence.

Investigators said she had warrants out of New Hampshire for forgery and intimidation. She is currently on probation for a 2024 Nevada conviction for assault with a deadly weapon.

Perrone is now charged with attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment, both felonies. According to SMPD, prosecutors also charged her with the misdemeanor of weapons.

Investigators say the attempted kidnapping occurred as the 8-year-old girl was helping her neighbor load several pets into a car. Perrone allegedly approached the couple and claimed she was a Russian police officer and was going to take the child. She then knelt down and attempted to snatch the child from the neighbor.

The neighbor grabbed the child and put her in the front seat of his car. Perrone ignored the man's orders for her to leave and tried to open the car door. When he approached her again, she pulled out a switchblade and ran away.

Officers tracked her down in a nearby Gelson parking lot next to her white BMW. Police believe she was living in her car and appeared to be homeless.

Anyone with information about the case should contact Detective Jauregui at [email protected] or Sgt. Haro at [email protected]. You can also call the Watch Commander anytime at (310) 458-8427.