Police are looking for clues to determine whether two separate reports of attempted kidnapping in Santa Monica over the last few days are related.
The first incident occurred on Wednesday night about 8 p.m. on the 1600 block of Ocean Avenue just south of the Santa Monica Pier, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
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The victim was walking on the sidewalk when a car pulled over in front of her and a man got out of the car.
"He did a bear hug around her and grabbed her, and started to spin her toward the car," Santa Monica Sgt. Jay Moroso said.
The victim managed to escape after a witness startled the man, according to police.
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The second incident occurred Friday morning about10:30 a.m. The victim was walking south on 14th street near Olympic Boulevard. A man was walking in front of her in the same direction.
"While she’s passing him, it sounds like he may be on his cell phone, she doesn’t think anything of it," Moroso said. "But a few moments later there are some footsteps behind her and next thing you know, she’s being grabbed around the waist and over her mouth and she’s being told to get in a car."
The victim screamed and the man ran away, police said.
Police are looking through surveillance video to determine whether the attackers in both cases are the same person.
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Because the crimes were committed in daylight and near busy intersections, police have described the man or men as "bold and dangerous" and encourage women to walk against traffic and with a companion, if possible.
"In any city you need to be aware of your surroundings and you know watch yourself and watch your back, especially in the evenings," Santa Monica resident Kerry Dolan said.
The man in the first incident has been described as a male in his 30s, about 6 feet 2 inches tall, 200 to 230 pounds with short, shaved hair and a beard. The vehicle he was seen with has been described as a late model, black four-door Volkswagen with tinted windows.
The man in the second incident has been described as a male in his 20s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, thin build, with short, shaved hair.
