LAPD arrests woman who allegedly tried to kidnap 4-year-old boy from Target store in Koreatown

Nathan Solis
·1 min read
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LAPD detain woman who allegedly tried to kidnap 4-year-old boy from Target.
Los Angeles police released photos of suspect who was sought and later arrested in connection with an attempted kidnapping at a Target store in Koreatown. (LAPD)

A woman who allegedly grabbed and then tried to run off with a 4-year-old boy from an L.A. Target store in Koreatown earlier this week has been arrested, Los Angeles police said.

Vanessa Yara Pineda, 27, was arrested about 11:50 a.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Magnolia Boulevard and Tujunga Avenue in North Hollywood after receiving a tip from a person who witnessed the kidnapping attempt on Feb. 25, police announced on X.

The suspect allegedly tried to kidnap the child — grabbing the boy forcibly from behind and carrying him out of the Target store, according to the LAPD.

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She put the boy down outside the store after his parents confronted her and then ran away, police said.

The incident remains under investigation.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.