Court records, Santa Monica Police Department press releases

Santa Monica Police Rescue Abducted 4-Year-Old from Panda Express, Arrest Suspect

Jul 12, 2024, 11:34 PM

Santa Monica Police successfully located a 4-year-old girl who was abducted from a Panda Express restaurant on Lincoln Boulevard. The incident occurred at 12:11 PM, and officers quickly gathered video images and deployed over 30 personnel to search for the child. The toddler, who was with her grandmother, was found safe a short time later at a nearby motel with the suspect, a homeless woman. The suspect was arrested, and the child was unharmed. The police's swift action in rescuing the child within 30 minutes is commendable.