A Southern California woman who was previously arrested on suspicion of kidnapping a child from a Target store was arrested again Tuesday on similar charges.
The suspect was identified as Yara Vanessa Pineda, 27, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Officers responded to Seoul International Park on the 3200 block of San Marino Street in the Koreatown neighborhood at around 5:14 p.m.
Witnesses said Pineda had approached several children at the park and picked them up before letting them go after being confronted by their parents.
The woman was reportedly seen fighting with the parents as well.
Witnesses recalled the frightening scene as the woman was seen running around the park.
“There was a crazy lady running around and she was picking up little kids and the kids were running from her,” recalled a young boy named Anwar. “They got scared. She was catching them and running away with them. She asked me for candy and I said, ‘No!’ and I ran away.”
Anwar said the woman reportedly picked up his sister and later pushed her to the ground. Parents called the police and kept an eye on her while awaiting their arrival.
Pineda fled the area before officers could arrive. An LAPD airship spotted the woman running from the park toward Normandie Avenue.
Officers confronted the suspect and a taser was eventually used to subdue her and take her into custody.
Pineda was previously arrested on Feb. 25 for allegedly trying to kidnap a 4-year-old boy from a Target store in Westlake.
During that incident, Pineda allegedly grabbed the boy from behind and carried him out of the store before putting the child down after being confronted by his parents.
The boy’s family told police they did not know the woman.
Following the Koreatown park incident, Pineda was taken into custody on kidnapping charges.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information can call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
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