 |
|||||
|
Attempted kidnapping
by Jason Dietrich
A 19-year-old woman reported that a man attempting to kidnap her after sexually exposing himself on Tuesday, May 23. The incident occurred on Avenue "F," about 100 feet from Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach.
"He was following her down the Esplanade, just kind of watching her, parking his car and circling. She wasn't that wary of him at first, she just thought he was a lost tourist or something," said Detective Tom Eskridge of the Redondo Beach Police Department.
The young woman walked down to the beach and spent about fifteen minutes there, said Eskridge. As she was headed down Avenue "F" close to Pacific Coast Highway, the young woman reported that the man pulled up in a dark colored 1996 Toyota Forerunner.
While stimulating himself, the man exposed his genitalia to her. He then got out of the truck and tried to force her to get into his sport-utility vehicle, said police.
"She started to run and he caught her," said Eskridge. "She managed to break free and get away, suffering some minor injuries."
Police were able to track down a similar case in Torrance where a man driving a similar truck had flashed a woman. That victim was able to provide detectives with a partial license plate number.
On May 30, police arrested Daniel William Ronnholm, 26, of San Pedro for attempted kidnapping and indecent exposure. He is being held on a $500,000 bail.
Detectives believe that the suspect may have flashed other victims in the South Bay. He may have also been driving a brown 1976 Mercedes. Police ask that any information be forwarded to Eskridge at (310) 379-2477 ext. 2318. ER