Kidnapping Scare Prompts Prostitution Investigation in Long Beach

A witness reported the possible abduction of a teen girl, but police say it's now a prostitution investigation

Long Beach police sought public help Friday to solve the possible kidnapping of a teenage girl, but later in the day said that there was no abduction. The case is now a prostitution investigation. 

Officers sent to Long Beach and Artesia boulevards about 6:20 a.m. Friday "regarding a possible kidnapping," the Long Beach Police Department reported.

"The calling party said they saw a (man) grab a female ... 13-16 years old by her waist and put her in the front seat of (a) van," police said.

The man was described as black, in his 30s, 6 feet tall, with a heavy build. He was wearing a red-and-white baseball cap; a white/red/orange horizontal striped polo shirt; a white T-shirt underneath the polo short and hanging below the bottom of the polo shirt; and light blue jean shorts past the knee.

The girl was described as Hispanic, about 5 feet 3 inches tall, with a thin build and short hair. She was wearing a black zip-up hoodie, and tight black pants.

The van was described as a white 1996-2000 Chevrolet Express passenger van that had "windows all around," police said.

"The window behind the driver has a sun-shade with an upside-down Honda logo," police said. "The back window of the van has a red 'temporary registration card' with a white No. 6 on it. The plate on the vehicle is a decorative plate with 'FMU' on it, possibly white and red." 

The false alarm had the neighborhood on edge. Police located the driver of the van and said late Friday there was no foul play involved. The prostitution investigation has been turned over to VICE detectives. 

Police say the sheriff's department found the van parked in a motel parking lot in Bellflower. The driver is cooperating with police. 

They have not yet located the woman who witnesses thought was a victim. 

NBC4's Christine Kim contributed to this report. 

Copyright CNS - City News Service
Contact Us