Last week, a woman was arrested after attempting to kidnap an eight-year-old girl by telling an adult accompanying the girl that she was from the Russian police and was taking the child with her.

Courtney Perrone, 40, was charged with attempted kidnapping of a victim under 14, false imprisonment by use of violence and assault with a deadly weapon, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.

She pleaded not guilty and the case was stayed pending an assessment of her mental health.

According to Santa Monica police, the incident occurred on a residential alley around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The child victim was helping an adult neighbor load several pets into his car when Perrone approached them and told them she was from Russian police and was picking up the child.

She knelt down and wrapped her arms around the child, which led to a “tug of war between the neighbor and Perrone.” The neighbor prevailed and placed the girl in the front seat of his vehicle.

“Perrone ignored him and attempted to open the car door,” police said. “When the neighbor confronted her again, Perrone pulled out a switchblade.”

However, she fled on foot while the neighbor called 911. A second 911 call informed officers that the suspect had fled toward the parking lot of a grocery store, where they found her.

Santa Monica police said Perrone has warrants for her arrest in New Hampshire for forgery and stalking and is on probation in Nevada following a conviction earlier this year for assault with a deadly weapon. She was previously arrested in Los Angeles for assault with a deadly weapon but was released due to lack of evidence.

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(Featured image: Courtney Perrone/Santa Monica Police Department)