LOS ANGELES : Deputies Thwart Kidnap Attempt at Blue Line Stop

Two undercover sheriff’s deputies broke up a kidnaping attempt at a Metro Blue Line station Thursday, rescuing the 8-year-old victim from a man who had punched the boy’s mother and 5-week-old brother in the face during the attack, authorities said.

The deputies were monitoring passengers at the Metro Blue Line Imperial Highway station at 11611 Willowbrook Ave. in South Los Angeles about 9:40 a.m. when they saw Elena Chavez and her children get off the train.

Stephen Rodriguez, 40, of Los Angeles allegedly grabbed the mother by the arm and threatened to kill her and her baby, Deputy Larry Mead said.

“The suspect then punched at Elena twice, striking her once in the mouth with the second blow hitting (5-week-old) Victorino once in the face,” he said. Deputies Joseph Marko and Manuel Esquivel grabbed Rodriguez and freed the boy from his grasp. Rodriguez was booked at the county Men’s Central Jail on suspicion of battery and kidnaping.

Chavez told deputies that she did not know the suspect and Mead said the motive was unknown.