Bystanders come to rescue of 11-year-old girl grabbed by stranger, California police say

Bystanders chased away a man who groped an 11-year-old girl and tried to kidnap her, California police reported.

A stranger grabbed the girl from behind and fondled her breasts in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles at 3:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, police said in a news release.

When he tried to drag her away, residents near M Street and Gulf Avenue chased him off, police said.

He drove away in a gray Nissan Kicks with a spare wheel mounted on the rear passenger side, police said.

Police describe the man as being 20 to 30 years old, approximately 5-foot-10 and about 240 pounds

Investigators ask anyone with information to call 310-726-7900.

Wilmington is about a 20-mile drive south from downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published October 23, 2024 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Bystanders come to rescue of 11-year-old girl grabbed by stranger, California police say."