Man Kidnaps Boy By Posing As Cop After Hitting Him With Truck: LAPD

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 38-year-old man struck a 13-year-old bike rider in Panorama City Wednesday morning and then kidnapped him by posing as a police officer and ordering the child into his truck, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The alleged kidnapping was thwarted when a witness followed the truck and guided police to its location in North Hills where officers found the boy and two men inside the truck, according to the LAPD. Police arrested the driver Ottoniel Mendoza on suspicion of kidnapping. Now police are looking for additional unreported victims.

The other man in the truck was interviewed by detectives but not booked.

The incident occurred at about 8 a.m. Wednesday as the boy was riding his bicycle in the area of Van Nuys Boulevard and Tupper Street, according to a written release by the LAPD

"The victim was struck by the suspect's vehicle, a 2019 dark gray Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The suspect, 38-year-oldOttoniel Mendoza, exited the truck and approached the victim. He showed the victim a badge and told the victim he was a police officer and directed the victim to get into his truck. The victim followed the direction of the suspect and got into the suspect’s truck," according to the LAPD. "A witness to the collision followed the suspect’s truck with the victim inside and contacted the police."

Officers pulled over the vehicle in the area of Sepulveda Boulevard and Tupper Street. The child was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries suffered in the crash.

Detectives believe it's possible that Mendoza may have other victims, and they released his mugshot, urging additional victims to come forward.

Mendoza is being held on $100,000 bail.