Kidnapping Suspect Identified NR18104ti

May 9, 2018 NR18104dm

UPDATE
On May 9, 2018, around
2:00 p.m., investigators were in the area of Oxnard Street and
Noble Avenue in Van Nuys, when they observed suspect Maria
Elizabeth De La Torre. She was wanted for Kidnapping and Grand
Theft Auto. She was taken into custody and booked at Van Nuys
Jail.

Van Nuys: The Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys
Area is asking for the public’s help in providing any information
that would lead to locating Maria Elizabeth De La Torre, who is
wanted for Kidnap and Grand Theft Auto.

On April 3, 2018, around 10:10 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department
police officers responded a radio call in the area of Gault Street
and Peach. They met with the mother of an 11-month-old child who
had been in her vehicle; which was left unattended with the keys
inside. The vehicle and child were taken by the suspect while the
mother had momentarily stepped away. Officers obtained the vehicle
license plate, 4SDK433, and entered it into the DMV system as a
stolen vehicle. An extensive search was started for the child and
vehicle.

Around 12:15 p.m., officers from Van Nuys Division and West Valley
Division responded to the 15900 block of Enadia Way. A citizen had
reported an unoccupied vehicle with a child inside. The vehicle was
the one stolen from Gault St and the child was the
11-month-old.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and transported the child
to a local hospital for evaluation. Ultimately, the child was
reunited with his mother.

After an exhaustive canvassing of the neighborhood along with the
public’s help, Van Nuys detectives have identified Maria Elizabeth
De La Torre as our suspect. She is a female Hispanic, black hair,
brown eyes, 5 feet tall, and weighs 130 pounds. She was last
wearing blue jeans and a pink shirt. The suspect is known to
frequent the area of Sepulveda Blvd and Sherman Way.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call Van Nuys Area,
Los Angeles Police Department, at (818) 374-9500. During
non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to
1-877-LAPD-24-7(877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous
should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at
1-800-222-TIPS(800-222-8477) or go directly to
www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit ww.lapdonline.org,
and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime
Stoppers” menu to submit an onlinetip. Lastly, tipsters may also
download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA
Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.