Good Samaritans Help Nab Sex Offender Who Allegedly Tried To Kidnap Woman At Gunpoint
ALHAMBRA (CBSLA.com) — Two Good Samaritans helped authorities nab a convicted sex offender after he allegedly tried to kidnap a woman at gunpoint outside of a popular coffee shop in Alhambra.
The incident happened Thursday morning outside a Starbucks on South Fremont Avenue.
Police said Frank Hernandez, a 64-year-old parolee, managed to cut off his GPS ankle bracelet an hour before he met up with the 20-something victim, whom he knew through a local church.
"He approaches her before she can get out of her car. He produces a gun. He puts it into her side. He demands entry into the car…says he's going to kill her," said Sgt. Jerry Johnson of the Alhambra Police Department.
A Good Samaritan heard the screams and cries for help.
"She didn't hesitate about yelling at this guy, telling him to leave this woman alone, to get outta here and leave," said Johnson.
A female witness immediately snapped cellphone pictures of the suspect and his car, which helped police arrest Hernandez within hours of the alleged crime.
Hernandez was charged with attempted kidnapping, attempted assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats. He may later be hit with other charges. His bail was set at $1 million.
KCAL9's Suraya Fadel reported that the Rosemead resident was on parole for rape. He's a registered sex offender with an extensive criminal history, including multiple convictions of sexual assault.
