Los Angeles, CA: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Olympic Division has successfully apprehended a suspect in connection with an attempted kidnapping incident. On February 25, around 12:40 p.m., officers were called to the 600 block of South Virgil Avenue following reports of a kidnapping. The suspect, later identified as Vanessa Yara Pineda, 27, of Los Angeles, was reported to have forcibly taken a 4-year-old boy from the location.
The child was released unharmed after the victim’s parents confronted Pineda outside the premises. Pineda, who was not acquainted with the child’s family, was arrested on February 28 around 11:50 a.m. by North Hollywood Area officers. This followed a tip from a community member who spotted her near Magnolia Boulevard and Tujunga Avenue.
Pineda has been charged with kidnapping (207(A) PC) and is currently held on a $1,250,000.00 bail. The Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate the incident and encourages anyone with further information to come forward.