Courtney Perrone, a 39-year-old woman from California, allegedly tried to kidnap an 8-year-old child by posing as a Russian police officer in Santa Monica. The incident occurred in an alley while the child was helping a neighbor put dogs in a car. Perrone approached the girl claiming to be from the Russian police and tried to take her. The neighbor, who the girl refers to as “Uncle Markie,” intervened in the situation and a struggle ensued between him and Perrone.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, Perrone had lipstick all over her face and acted erratically during the attempted abduction. While kneeling down and putting her arms around the child, she engaged in a tug of war with the neighbor. Despite the chaos, the girl was eventually placed safely inside the car and the neighbor told Perrone to leave. In a final attempt to take the child, Perrone pulled out a switchblade before running off. Fortunately, the girl was unharmed during the incident.
Following the attempted kidnapping, Perrone was charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office with multiple offenses, including attempted kidnapping of a minor, false imprisonment by violence, and assault with a deadly weapon. She faces a potential prison sentence of up to six and a half years and is currently being held on a $135,000 bail until her trial. This is not the first time Perrone has had run-ins with the law, as she was previously arrested for assault with a deadly weapon by the Los Angeles Police Department.
In addition, Perrone has a history of arrests in other states, including charges of assault and battery, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, and trespassing. She also has outstanding warrants in New Hampshire for stalking and is currently on probation in Nevada for a conviction of assault with a deadly weapon. These past encounters with law enforcement suggest a pattern of criminal behavior on Perrone’s part, raising concerns about her mental state and potential danger to the community.
The incident has left the Santa Monica community and authorities alarmed by the brazen nature of Perrone’s actions in attempting to abduct a child while posing as a foreign police officer. The quick thinking of the neighbor who intervened helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating further. As the case progresses through the legal system, Perrone’s motives and mental state will likely come under scrutiny to determine the appropriate course of action to ensure the safety of the public and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Overall, the attempted kidnapping by Courtney Perrone in Santa Monica serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by individuals with criminal histories and unstable behavior. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and quick action in protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from potential threats. By holding Perrone accountable for her actions and providing support to the victim and her family, authorities aim to address the aftermath of the incident and prevent similar occurrences through increased awareness and community engagement.
