A man driving what was described as a 1980s-style van tried to kidnap an 11-year-old boy as he was walking to his home from a school bus stop in Palos Verdes Estates, according to police.
The attempt occurred Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at Coronel Plaza and Via Margarita, authorities said. While at that location, the boy was approached by a man in 1980s-style Chevrolet conversion van.
The driver of the van called to the victim to get his attention and ask him directions to "the promenade." The victim began to look at his cellphone to assist the suspect and the driver said he could not hear him speaking and asked him to come closer to the van.
As the victim approached the front passenger door of the van, he heard the passenger side sliding door open. Immediately after he heard this, he felt someone grab his backpack from the rear and attempt to pull him into the van, according to a statement from the Rancho Palos Verdes Police Department.
The victim was unable to see the second suspect. The victim quickly broke free from the second suspect's grasp and ran from the location and straight to his residence.
He then heard the van quickly speed away from the area.
Upon further investigation, the victim recalled seeing the exact same van in the same area and time on Wednesday.
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The van was described as full size and medium brown in color with a light colored horizontal stripe running down both sides of the van. Paint on the van was faded with miscellaneous areas of chipped paint along both sides.
Oval windows on the sides and rear with the rear windows covered by closed horizontal miniblinds on the inside of the van.
One man was described as white with a medium build and between 40 and 50 years old. He had dark brown hair in a "buzz cut" hairstyle and dark tanned skin complexion with an unknown color tank top.
There was no description of the second man.
Contact the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department with any information at 310-378-4211.
