Police: Woman Kidnapped Outside Mall In Canoga Park, Later Sexually Assaulted
CANOGA PARK (CBSLA.com) — A woman was allegedly kidnapped in the parking lot of a Canoga Park mall and later sexually assaulted on the Fourth of July.
KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reported that a 19-year-old was leaving work at the Westfield Topanga mall and was standing near her car in the parking lot when she was approached by a man.
Suspect Sought In Kidnapping, Sexual Assault Of Woman In Canoga Park
The suspect forced the woman into her car at knifepoint and held her hostage for about three hours, police said.
During this time, the suspect made the woman drive him to several locations in the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles areas. Before releasing her, police said the suspect stole property from the woman, forced her to give him access to her bank account through her ATM card and sexually assaulted her.
Video surveillance images of the suspect were released Monday afternoon. He was described as an African American man in his early 20s, about 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 8 inches tall, between 140 and 160 pounds with a fit build.
