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LAPD Hopes Public Can Help Them Identify Alleged Kidnap Victim

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)  —   The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public's help to identify a woman they say was kidnapped.

Authorities said the unidentified woman walked into Christy's Donuts in the 5600 block of York Boulevard in the early morning hours of December 20, 2014. Detectives told KCAL9's Brittney Hopper they were only now releasing the woman's picture because it took them a while to sharpen the grainy video image.

Witnesses said the woman had just gotten out of a gray or silver SUV. The woman ordered a coffee and began texting or emailing someone using her cell phone.

Around 5:55 a.m., the woman left the business wearing her black coat and walked toward Avenue 56. Less than a minute later, the same SUV that dropped her off pulled alongside her and abruptly stopped. The woman immediately ran back into the donut shop.

Police said the driver of the SUV followed her into the store, threw her to the ground and dragged her outside. The suspect and victim argued for approximately two minutes before he forced the woman into the passenger side of the vehicle. After the assault and kidnapping, officers searched the area but were unable to locate her, the suspect or the SUV.

The victim is described as Latina between 20 to 30-years-old. She stands approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs an estimated 130 pounds. She has long brown or black hair and a tattoo of what appears to be a hibiscus flower on her left shoulder.

The suspect is described as Latino between 25 to 30. The suspect stands approximately 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet one inch tall.

Concerned for the victim's safety, detectives from LAPD's Northeast Division are urging the public to view the photograph of the victim and provide any information about her identity and welfare.

Anyone with information about this assault and kidnapping is asked to call Detective Jeana Franco, Northeast Division at (323) 344-5731.

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