Southern California police say woman, 39, pretended to be Russian police in effort to kidnap 8-year-old

An 8-year-old girl is safe despite almost being kidnapped by a woman posing as a Russian police officer in Santa Monica on Wednesday, according to authorities .

The incident was reported at about 2:30 p.m. in the 800 block of the alley south of Maple Street, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

Investigations revealed that an 8-year-old girl was assisting a neighbor put several pets in his vehicle that was parked in the alley. The woman, later identified as 39-year-old Courtney Perrone, approached the pair and stated that she was with Russian police and was there to take the child, police said.

Perrone and the man then had what the police called a “tug-of-war” for the child, whom Perrone allegedly grabbed. The man ultimately won the struggle and secured the child in his vehicle, ordering Perrone to leave. The child was unharmed during the incident.

Perrone refused to leave and subsequently tried to pry the vehicle door open. She then pulled out a switchblade knife, police said.

Perrone eventually fled the scene on foot.

There were two parties that reported the incident to police, the second of which told authorities that the woman fled southbound into the Gelson’s parking lot.

That’s where officers found her standing next to a white BMW. She was then arrested.

Police say Perrone is likely to be homeless, living in the BMW.

Perrone has an extensive arrest record outside of the state of California that includes assault and battery, resisting arrest, possession of controlled substance and trespassing. She was recently arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon by the Los Angeles Police Department, authorities said, but was released for a lack of evidence.

At the time of her arrest Wednesday, she had outstanding warrants from New Hampshire on suspicion of stalking and forgery. She was also on probation from a Nevada conviction for assault with a deadly weapon.

Perrone will be formally charged on Friday in an arraignment hearing, police say. She’ll be charged with two felonies for attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment and a misdemeanor for brandishing.

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