Santa Monica police arrested a woman Wednesday after she allegedly tried to kidnap an 8-year-old girl while posing as a Russian police officer.
The suspect, 39-year-old Courtney Perrone, has been arrested multiple times in several states for resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, trespassing, assault and battery, according to Santa Monica police. Los Angeles police officers arrested Perrone for assault with a deadly weapon, but she was released due to insufficient evidence.
Investigators said she has outstanding warrants out of New Hampshire for forgery and intimidation. She is currently on probation for a 2024 conviction for assault with a deadly weapon in Nevada.
Perrone is now charged with attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment, both felonies. According to SMPD, prosecutors have also charged her with a misdemeanor count of brandishing.
Investigators allege the attempted abduction occurred while the 8-year-old girl was helping her neighbor load several pets into a car. Perrone allegedly approached the couple, posing as Russian police officers and taking the child. She then knelt and attempted to grab the child from the neighbor.
The neighbor grabbed the child and placed her in the front seat of his car. Perrone ignored the man’s demands that she leave and tried to open the car door. When he confronted her again, she pulled out a switchblade before running away.
Officers tracked her down to a nearby Gelson’s parking lot next to her white BMW. Police believe she was living in her car and appeared to be homeless.
Anyone with information about the case may contact Detective Jauregui at Martin.Jauregui@santamonica.gov or Sergeant Haro at David.Haro@santamonica.gov. You may also call the watch commander at any time of the day at (310) 458-8427.
