News Summary
An urgent investigation has been launched in Westminster, California, after an attempted kidnapping of a juvenile girl. The incident occurred near Brookhurst Street, where a man in a gray sedan engaged the girl and made inappropriate advances. Fortunately, the girl managed to escape and seek help. Authorities are calling for public assistance in identifying the suspect, described as wearing a dinosaur-print face mask. The police are particularly interested in finding potential witnesses, including a woman and child who were approached by the girl after her escape.
Westminster, California is currently the focus of an urgent investigation following an attempted kidnapping incident that occurred on October 2, 2025. Authorities are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male suspect involved in the alarming interaction with a juvenile girl, who was walking home from school.
The incident took place around 3:40 p.m. near the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Bishop Place. The young girl was approached by a man in a parked gray sedan. During their encounter, the suspect requested directions and shockingly exposed his genitals to the girl.
After this inappropriate behavior, the suspect exited his vehicle with the apparent intention of blocking the girl’s path. He urged her to enter his car and made physical contact with her in an attempt to prevent her from fleeing. Fortunately, the girl managed to escape and ran eastward towards a nearby woman who was walking with a child, seeking help.
Following the girl’s escape, the suspect departed the scene driving westbound towards Bushard Street in his gray sedan. The police are now focusing their efforts on locating this man, who is described as approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing around 200 pounds, and at the time of the incident, was wearing a white and blue short-sleeve button-down shirt, dark pants, and a distinctive dinosaur-print face mask that covered his mouth and nose.
The Westminster Police Department is particularly interested in identifying the woman and child that the girl approached after escaping, as they may hold crucial information about the incident. Investigators are also appealing to the public for any additional witnesses who may have been in the area during that time, asking that anyone with information come forward.
Individuals with details related to the case are encouraged to contact Detective J. Barnes at (714) 548-3784 or the Westminster Police Watch Commander at (714) 548-3767. The police are taking this incident very seriously and hope that community involvement will aid in swiftly locating the suspect and providing further protection for residents.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can unexpectedly arise, particularly for young individuals. Community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement are essential in maintaining safety and preventing such occurrences. The Westminster community is advised to remain alert and report any suspicious behavior immediately.
Police continue to conduct a thorough investigation, looking into all leads to ensure the safety of the area’s youth and to encourage an environment where children can walk home from school without fear. Authorities ask residents to keep their eyes open and be proactive in sharing any relevant information about the suspect or this distressing incident.
As this case develops, the Westminster Police Department will share updates with the public to enhance community awareness and safety.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Westminster Attempted Kidnapping Suspect Search
- Wikipedia: Kidnapping
- Sacramento Bee: National News on Kidnapping
- Google Search: Westminster attempted kidnapping
- Orange County Tribune: Suspect Sought in Possible Attempted Kidnapping
- Google Scholar: Kidnapping Case Studies
- News Santa Ana: Westminster Police Search for Kidnapping Suspect
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abduction
- 9 News: Westminster Attempted Kidnapping Plea
- Google News: Westminster Police
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
