SANTA MONICA – On August 23, District Attorney Gascon issued a press release announcing the arrest of a local homeless woman who attempted to kidnap a child and assault a man.

On August 21, at approximately 2:50 p.m., the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded to a suspicious person call in the 800 block of the alley south of Maple Street. Officers arrested a 39-year-old Hispanic woman, later identified as Courtney Perrone, on a felony charge of attempting to kidnap an 8-year-old girl.

The child was reportedly helping a neighbor load his pets into his car when a strange woman approached him and grabbed the child. The neighbor quickly snatched the child from the perpetrator and locked him in his car. At that moment, the woman pulled out a switchblade and ripped at the door to get to the child who was locked inside. Both victims were able to escape the scene without physical injury.

The neighbor pursued the woman, who fled the scene into the parking lot of a nearby business, where she was believed to be living. Officers arrested a 39-year-old Hispanic woman, later identified as Courtney Perrone, who was charged with felony assault for attempting to kidnap an 8-year-old girl and assaulting the man who was protecting the child.

The neighbor told reporters that the woman called herself “Russian police” and acted as if she had a legitimate reason to take the child. The neighbor knows the child well as they are like family. His quick action saved the little girl, he told reporters, because she is “like a niece to him” and “I’m her Uncle Markie,” he said.

The following is taken directly from the DA Gascons press release.

“Perrone was arraigned today and entered a plea of ​​not guilty. The defense stated that it doubted her sanity under PC 1368. The criminal proceedings were stayed pending the conclusion of the defendant’s psychiatric evaluation process on September 9 at the Hollywood Courthouse. The court set bail at $135,000 pending arraignment.

The trauma and fear experienced by this innocent child is unimaginable, and we want to assure her, her family, the second victim, and our community that we will seek justice with the full force of the law,” said District Attorney Gascón. “Attempting to kidnap a child is a heinous crime. We will work to ensure justice is served and this brave young girl can begin the healing process. Our Bureau of Victim Services stands ready to assist victims and their families in their time of need with trauma-informed services.”

According to the LASD inmate roster, Perrone has an extensive criminal history in multiple states. She is being held at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.

On August 10, Perrone was arrested by the LAPD’s Pacific Division on a felony charge and was released by a police officer on August 13, the day of sentencing, with the reason given as “inadequate complaint.”

On November 18, 2023, Perrone was arrested by the LASD Lost Hills Station Patrol, issued a summons, and released.