Violent kidnapping of 15-year-old averted

SANTA ANA – A 15-year-old girl walking to school was nearly kidnapped, but escaped and helped police capture one of the suspects.

From a car parked on this street, Moises Rendon tried to kidnap a teenage girl.

This morning at 8:24 am, the girl was headed to Santa Ana Valley High School, just a few blocks away. According to a Santa Ana Police press release, a man, apparently hiding in wait, jumped out of a red Toyota Corolla that was parked on the street. Wearing gloves, and holding a rag in one hand, he ran toward the girl and tried to grab her. She was able to escape his grasp, and ran away. The man, then described as a Hispanic in his 20’s, got back into the Toyota’s passenger seat, and with another man driving, sped off from the scene.

Witnesses to the incident immediately reported it to police, who responded to the scene. Someone gave the officers a possible residence of the suspect, on the 1400 block of South Sullivan Street, within two blocks of the kidnapping attempt. Following that lead, officers made contact with 28-year-old Moises Rendon. The victim made a positive identification of him, and he was arrested and subsequently booked at the Santa Ana Jail on charges of attempted kidnapping.

Moises Rendon was arrested for attempted kidnapping

The driver of the car is still at large, as is the vehicle, described as a red Toyota Corolla with a spoiler on the trunk. It is not known at this time if Rendon had any connection to the victim, or if she was a random choice for the kidnapping.

Anyone with information is asked to call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6226).

Read More:

CBS Los Angeles: Man Arrested For Attempted Kidnapping Of Teen in OC, Police Seek Accomplice

KABC-TV: Santa Ana abduction suspect arrested; second man at large