Santa Monica Police Nab Kidnapping Suspect

SANTA MONICA (CBS) — Santa Monica police Tuesday arrested a man they say was wanted for an attempted kidnapping Sunday.

Police responded to the call of a suspicious man in the 800 block of Ocean Park Boulevard at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The suspect, now identified as 29-year-old Jefferdick Joseph Vega of Los Angeles -- was reportedly knocking on various doors.

As officers searched the immediate area, they said they found an older model Toyota Previa minivan that matched the description of a vehicle involved in the attempted kidnapping.

Officers determined the vehicle was also stolen and made a traffic stop in the 800 block of Maple Street.

Vega was detained and also identified as the suspect in the attempted kidnapping.

Officials say Vega attempted to grab a 17-year-old girl Sunday morning. After a struggle, the girl ran off to a nearby restaurant to get help. She suffered minor injuries in the attack, said authorities.

After being taken to Santa Monica jail, Vega was booked on charges of kidnapping, vehicle theft and a parole violation.

Santa Monica Police Department is asking anyone else who may have been victimized by Vega, or who has additional information, to contact Detective Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8942 or Sergeant Ira Rutan at (310) 458-8959. You can also call the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at (310) 458-8495.