Police: Man tried to kidnap, assault young women
Los Angeles police have arrested a La Crescenta man they say has been trying to kidnap women and sexually assault them around North Hollywood and Burbank, among other places.
Jason Maynard Kies, 37, is being held in lieu of $4 million bail in the Van Nuys jail after detectives arrested him while he allegedly stalked his next potential victim.
Police said Kies started attacking women in North Hollywood on March 22. Around 8 a.m. that day, he allegedly grabbed a woman as she exited her car and tried to force her into his vehicle on Ben Avenue between Hesby and Addison streets.
A few hours later, after fighting off a security guard at a department store when he tried to steal something, detectives say Kies targeted a woman who was jogging. Again, Kies grabbed her and tried to pull the woman into his vehicle near Tujunga Avenue and Sarah Street, but she got away, police said.
Detectives said the two victims were young, petite women of Asian descent. Authorities believe there is also a third victim who has not been identified. Kies is listed as 5 feet 11, 220 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department website.
Following the attacks, Kies was identified as a suspect and placed under surveillance. Officers following him watched as he appeared to follow a lone female jogger in La Crescenta from his car. Before he could act, police moved in and arrested him.
Kies was driving a gray GMC sport utility vehicle. He was described as wearing sunglasses, a black RVCA baseball cap, black shoes, gray shorts and a gray shirt during the attacks.
Det. John Perez said Kies would likely be charged with six felonies Tuesday afternoon.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Perez or Det. Pinner at (818) 623-4090 or (818) 623-4045.
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Twitter: @josephserna
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