Police: Mothers fought back kidnappers who tried to take their babies in separate but possibly related incidents
Police are looking for one or two people who tried to kidnap two babies Wednesday evening, in separate incidents 20 minutes apart, authorities said.
In both cases, the children’s mothers fought back with the stranger and escaped, said Glendale Police Sgt. Robert William.
The first occurred shortly after 5 p.m., when the mother was pushing her infant in a stroller near Chevy Chase Drive and Adams Street. The suspect — described as a Hispanic woman with short, thick hair, wearing heavy winter clothing — grabbed the baby from the stroller and attempted to run.
After a struggle, the mother grabbed her baby back.
The suspect drove away in a small silver or white compact car. The license plate possibly started with “7HY,” police said.
About 20 minutes later a mile away outside John Marshall Elementary School, an 8-year-old boy called police to report that a man dressed as a woman tried to steal his 2-year-old brother, William said.
The child’s mother said the man was in his late 40s or 50s, with salt-and-pepper hair and a two-day-old beard. He wore a gray shirt with a colorful design on the front.
In this case, the mother fought off the suspect before he fled in a small four-door silver sedan.
Detectives believe the incidents are related and urged parents to be extra vigilant.
Anyone with information about the kidnapping is asked to call Glendale police st (818) 548-4911.
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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com
Twitter: @atchek
