Two 4-year-old boys snatched, and nearly taken in two separate cases. Both children were targeted in downtown Los Angeles, just two miles apart. One woman is now in custody, but the other remains at large.
A woman suspected of attempting to kidnap a 4-year-old child at a McDonald's has been arrested, Los Angeles police said.
Maralyn Ramos, 33, was arrested Wednesday night in downtown Los Angeles and booked on suspicion of attempted kidnapping, police said. Bail was set at $100,000.
Ramos has lived in Arizona. It's unclear how long she had been in California, police said, adding that she was arrested after investigators received a tip.
Details about the arrest were not immediately available. It was not immediately clear whether Ramos has an attorney.
In security camera video captured Tuesday afternoon, a woman can be seen carrying a 4-year-old out of a McDonald's restaurant located in the 1300 block of East Olympic Boulevard. As the woman attempted to enter a parked vehicle, a witness stopped her and she fled on foot from the area, the LAPD said.
The owner-operator of the restaurant issued a statement early Thursday.
"Our biggest priority is always the safety and well-being of our customers and employees. We are fully cooperating with local law enforcement during this investigation," said owner-operator Veronica Sanchez.
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Police said Thursday that they are still searching for a woman in a second kidnapping attempt that was reported Wednesday on Martin Luther King Boulevard and San Pedro Street in Los Angeles, police said. The kidnapper in that case pulled a 4-year-old child's hand and attempted to walk away with the victim while the boy was walking with a family member, police said.
The woman was stopped by a witness in the area and again fled, the LAPD said.
Los Angeles police said Thursday they have found security camera video on the kidnapping and expect to release it soon.
Anyone with information regarding the incidents is urged to contact Robbery Homicide Division, Robbery Special Section, Detectives F. Arroyo, Serial No 26531 and D. Moreno, Serial No. 32580 at (213) 486-6840. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”
Correction: An earlier version of this article indicated the woman arrested Wednesday was suspected in the attempted kidnapping at Martin Luther King Boulevard and San Pedro Street. Police later said she is not suspected in that investigation.
