Girl Identifies Man as Would-Be Kidnaper

SEAL BEACH — Police said Thursday that a 12-year-old girl has identified a Huntington Beach resident with a long criminal record as the man who tried to kidnap her this week.

Glen Scott Simons, 25, was held without bail on charges of attempted kidnaping, child molestation and possible parole violations, police said.

However, Huntington Beach police, who were investigating a similar incident, said Thursday that the 14-year-old victim in that case said Simons was not the man who tried to lure her into a van last month.

The Huntington Beach investigation had led police to Simons, who was arrested at his parole agent’s office Wednesday in the Seal Beach case.

Simons, whose juvenile criminal record dates back to 1985, was released by the state Department of Corrections three weeks ago. Officials said his criminal convictions involved property crimes, including auto theft, and that he had been in and out of the adult prison system since 1986.

Police said the 12-year-old victim was standing with friends at Lampson Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard on Tuesday when a man drove up and tried to abduct her. She broke free and fled with her friends.