Chilling Video Captures Screams Of Possible Kidnapping Victim

LOS ANGELES, CA — A doorbell security camera in the Leimert Park area captured chilling footage of a woman screaming for help during a possible kidnapping, prompting the Los Angeles Police Department to call for the public's help in solving the mystery.

The incident happened late Tuesday night in a residential neighborhood in the 3800 block of Third Avenue. Witnesses called police at about 11:20 p.m. to report seeing a woman screaming for help from a car that sped off. Without further evidence, the initial investigation didn't get far. But then a neighbor shared troubling security camera footage of the incident, reigniting the case.

In the video, darkness blankets the neighborhood, but a woman's scream pierce the air.

"Help me, somebody help me please,"she shrieks over and over again. Faintly, in the background, a man can be heard repeating, "I am sorry."

Several witnesses also reported hearing the person -- described only as black female with dark, braided hair -- as she screamed, police said.

Witnesses also reported seeing a car, possibly a white four-door Toyota Prius with two people inside, speeding south on Third Avenue, according to the LAPD.

The possible victim was believed to be in the front passenger seat and a black male was apparently at the wheel as the Prius sped off, police said.

One witness told police her hair was being pulled backward as she screamed and that the Prius had "plastic wrap over the front passenger side window" from possible prior collision damage.

Anyone with information about the incident 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.

City News Service contributed to this report.