VAN NUYS—The Los Angeles Police Department identified Maria Elizabeth De La Torre as the prime suspect in a kidnapping and grand theft auto case, who is still at large.
A mother called the police on Tuesday, April 3, reporting that she left her 11-month-old baby in her car at Gault and Peach Street. The keys were inside the vehicle, when the mother briefly stepped away, Torre stole both the child and the vehicle.
Authorities received a tip that the car was left at the 15900 block of Enadia Way. When the police arrived on the scene, they found the child inside safe. After an evaluation at a local hospital, the child was returned to its mother.
Officers canvassed the neighborhood, and with the public’s help, they identified Torre as the suspect. She is a Hispanic woman with brown eyes and black hair. She is 5 feet tall and weighs 130 pounds. Authorities have not yet located Torre, who was last seen wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans. She frequents the neighborhood of Sepulveda Boulevard and Sherman Way.
The LAPD is asking anyone with additional information to contact the Van Nuys Area LAPD at (818) 374-9500. Calls during non-business hours should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7(877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Tipsters may visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an onlinetip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
