Registered Sex Offender Arrested For Attempt Kidnap

"Registered Sex Offender Arrested For Attempt Kidnap"
 

Los Angeles: On July 30, 2002, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Northeast Area patrol units were dispatched to a call at 6300 block of Meridian Street. The call indicated a possible kidnap was in progress and a child was the intended victim. Responding officers received additional information that the suspect was a heavy set White male who was chasing a male child wearing a school uniform.
Two witnesses also began shouting at the suspect who released the child and fled to his car parked nearby.
The alert witnesses managed to obtain the license plate number of the suspect’s vehicle and gave a comprehensive description of the suspect to the arriving units. The officers began their preliminary investigation and immediately broadcasted the suspect’s information to all units in an effort to apprehend the suspect. It was revealed the suspect vehicle was registered to an address in the Hollywood Area. Hollywood units received the information and potential destination. Within moments, Hollywood Area patrol officers observed the vehicle. A few minutes later, the suspect entered and drove away in his vehicle. The suspect was detained at Carlton Way and Bronson Street in Hollywood. The victim was transported to the scene and immediately identified the suspect as his attacker.
At approximately 1:40 p.m., the suspect, identified as 41 year-old Wayne David Petty, was arrested for felony child annoying. Further investigation revealed that the suspect is a registered sex offender. He is currently in compliance with his registration status at Hollywood Community Police Station.
The case was presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office Sex Crimes Unit. The suspect was arraigned on August 1, 2002, and was charged with one count of felony Child Annoying with a prior and one count of False Imprisonment. The bail is set at $145,000.00.
Northeast Area detectives are handling the investigation and are seeking the public’s assistance to report any similar crimes related to this incident at 213-847-4272. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL. 1-877-529-3855.
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.