Public's Help Sought To Locate Attempted Kidnapping Suspect In El Monte

EL MONTE (CBSLA.com) — Police sought the public's help Tuesday to locate a man who attempted to kidnap a 9-year-old boy in front of an elementary school in El Monte.

The incident took place around 2 p.m. Thursday outside of La Primaria Elementary School, according to police.

Officers said the man walked up to the boy, grabbed his right wrist and then pulled at him as he waited for his mother.

The boy suffered a scratch to his arm, but was able to get away from the man, who fled eastbound on Ramona Boulevard.

Detectives described the suspect as a man believed to be in his 30s who stands around 6-foot-2 tall, weighs 180 pounds, has a shaved head, pock mocks on both sides of his face and has brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a black shirt with an unknown pattern, black pants and red colored shoes.

The suspect has a dragon tattoo on the back on his head, the name Maria tattooed on the left side of his neck, and another tattoo of a skull on his upper chest, detectives added.

Police believe the man may be a transient who is known to frequent the area around the 605 Freeway near the San Gabriel river bed.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this suspect has been urged to contact the El Monte Police Department at (626) 580-2172.