Would-Be Kidnapper Sought by Police

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a man suspected in the attempted kidnapping of a female jogger in Oak View earlier this month.

About 9 a.m. Jan. 9, the would-be kidnapper got out of his vehicle and grabbed a 21-year-old woman as she jogged near Burnham and Santa Ana roads and attempted to force her into his truck, but the woman fiercely fought back, officials said.

Another motorist stopped upon seeing the struggle, and the potential kidnapper drove off.

The man is described as a clean-shaven white male, approximately 40 years old, with gray hair cut in a long flattop and close on the sides. He is approximately 6 feet tall and of medium build.

A truck he was driving is described as an early 1980s Ford extended-cab pickup that is either off-white or dirty white with a large drum and toolbox in the truck bed.

The man and truck were last seen heading north on Burnham Road after the attack.

Detectives are also looking for a woman who drove by in a green minivan at the time of the attempted kidnapping who may have additional information.

Anyone with information should contact Det. Joe Evans at the Ojai sheriff’s station at (805) 646-1414 or Eric Nishimoto, the department information officer, at (805) 654-2382.