The Suspect Appears to Be Homeless and Living Out of Her Vehicle
A woman has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies after allegedly attempting to kidnap an 8-year-old child in Santa Monica, according to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD).
The incident occurred on August 21 at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the alley south of Maple Street. A witness reported that the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Courtney Perrone, attempted to grab the child and run off with her. Another witness indicated that Perrone fled southbound toward the Gelson’s parking lot. The child was unharmed.
SMPD officers located Perrone in the Gelson’s parking lot, standing next to a white BMW. She was positively identified by witnesses at the scene. According to the investigation, the child was in the alley with a neighbor, helping to load pets into a vehicle, when Perrone approached, claiming to be Russian police and stating that she was taking the child. Perrone then attempted to grab the child, leading to a struggle with the neighbor. The neighbor secured the child in his vehicle and told Perrone to leave. Perrone then allegedly brandished a switchblade knife before fleeing the scene on foot.
Perrone, who appears to be homeless and living out of her vehicle, has a criminal history that includes multiple out-of-state arrests for assault, battery, resisting arrest, and drug possession. She was recently arrested by LAPD’s Pacific Division for assault with a deadly weapon but was released due to insufficient evidence. She also has outstanding warrants from New Hampshire and is currently on probation in Nevada for a 2024 assault conviction.
Perrone is scheduled to be arraigned on August 23. She faces felony charges of attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment, as well as a misdemeanor charge of brandishing a weapon.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Detective Jauregui at Martin.Jauregui@santamonica.gov, Sgt. Haro at David.Haro@santamonica.gov, or the SMPD Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427.
