Today, Palmdale patrol units responded to a fast food business located on the 700 block of West Rancho Vista Boulevard, Palmdale, regarding two young children that had just been abducted from their foster mother.
The deputies arrived at the location, but unfortunately the suspect had fled in a gray Ford SUV which was registered to the suspect.
Throughout the first hour after the abduction, deputies coordinated an exhaustive investigation. They began compiling workable information quickly, knowing time was of the essence. “Be on the Lookout” broadcasts were shared with other Sheriff’s stations and police agencies, as Palmdale deputies concurrently developed workable information that the suspect may be headed to an airport to flee the State of California.
Palmdale Deputies proactively contacted authorities from the Burbank Airport Police Department, and alerted the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Burbank Airport Police located the suspect’s abandoned vehicle parked in an airport parking structure. Shortly thereafter, Burbank Airport Police located the suspect inside an airport restaurant, along with the kidnapped children, as she waited for an out of state flight that was to depart in a few hours.
The suspect had pre-planned the abduction and quick getaway, intending to flee California’s jurisdiction on a plane bound for Arizona, where the suspect claimed to have family.
Burbank Airport Police detained the suspect and victims until Palmdale units could respond and take custody.
Thanks to unyielding proactive efforts and timely due diligence by both deputies and our partner officers within the Burbank Airport Police Department, the suspect was arrested and booked at Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, and both children were safely returned to the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. If you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), using your smartphone by downloading the “P3 MOBILE APP” on Google play or the App Store, or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Deputy Edmo Luna
Sheriff's Information Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles California 90012
213-229-1700
Website: http://www.lasd.org
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