Honking car stops man from kidnapping 13-year-old girl, police say

Police said they are searching for a man who tried to abduct a 13-year-old girl in a Simi Valley neighborhood earlier this week and was thwarted by a honking car.

Detectives released photos of the man from a bus’ surveillance camera in hopes that the public could help identify him.

The attempted kidnapping occurred about 3:45 p.m. Monday, according to the Simi Valley Police Department.

The girl entered a city bus near Tapo Street and Township Avenue, then got off about 15 minutes later at Stearns Street and Cochran Street. The man, who was also riding the bus, got off and followed her, police said.

As she walked toward her home, he suddenly grabbed her and “tried to force her to come with him,” according to police. A driver traveling through the neighborhood saw the attempted kidnapping and honked.

The girl managed to escape the man’s grasp and fled home. She then reported the attack to her father, authorities said.

Police searched the area, but did not find the man. Detectives said they are looking for the driver who witnessed the incident and honked, and are hoping to talk to the person about what he or she might have seen.

Anyone with details about the attempted kidnapping is urged to call Det. Jeff Quartararo at (805) 583-6956.

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