LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Authorities asked for the public's help today to solve a possible kidnapping after audible screams were captured on a doorbell security system in the Leimert Park area of South Los Angeles.
Officers responded to the potential abduction about 11:20 p.m. Nov. 12 in the 3800 block of Third Avenue.
A female could be heard screaming for help several times as witnesses walked out of their homes and saw a white vehicle speed down Third Avenue toward 39th Street with the rear hatch open and the female continuing to scream for help, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Several witnesses also reported hearing the person -- described only as black female with dark, braided hair -- as she screamed, ``Help me, somebody help me,'' police said.
The vehicle was initially described as a Toyota Prius, but later determined to be a 2003 to 2008 Toyota Matrix with black rims, according to the LAPD, which released photos of the vehicle at a news conference this morning in the hopes of generating additional leads.
``There have been reported people missing, but we haven't been able to tie them to this investigation," LAPD David Marcinek told reporters. ``All tips are helpful. I can't go into detail of the tips that we've received. But all of them have been investigated. None of them have been able to lead to identifying the victim, the suspect or the vehicle."
The possible abductee was believed to be in the front passenger seat and a black male was apparently at the wheel as the vehicle sped off, police said.
``The suspect was heard shouting, `I'm sorry, I'm sorry,''' police said.
One witness told police the possible victim's hair was being pulled backward as she screamed and that the vehicle had ``plastic wrap over the front passenger side window'' from a possible prior crash.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation was asked to call LAPD Southwest Division detectives at 213-485-2197. After hours or on weekends, calls can be directed to 877-LAPD-24-7. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or lacrimestoppers.org.