Crime & Safety
San Leandro Police Release Photos of Suspect Car, Wheels
Police are releasing new details in their hunt for a man who pepper sprayed a woman and tried to kidnap her.
SAN LEANDRO, CA — A suspect who tried to kidnap a woman by pepper-spraying her and dragging her towards his car in San Leandro last month may have stalked other women in the area and police are asking for help finding him.
On July 28 at 7:45 a.m., a 23-year-old woman was walking to work in the 14700 block of Washington Avenue when a man emerged from between two parked cars and pepper sprayed her, blinding her.
The man knocked her down and began dragging her by her ankles to his car, which was parked along the curb.
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A passerby saw the struggle and intervened, allowing the woman to escape.
Police described the suspect as a black man in his 30s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing between 165 and 185 pounds.
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He was well groomed, had a goatee, and wore thin-framed, prescription glasses.
- Previous coverage: Good Samaritan Saves Woman From Kidnapper in San Leandro
Police said that the suspect's vehicle is a silver 2014 Nissan Sentra SR four-door. The SR model is a sport model, and has a factory-installed ground effects kit, as well as a small spoiler on the rear trunk lid. The car has tinted windows on all doors and the rear window.
Police said the most unique quality of the car is the aftermarket wheels, which detectives believe are dark gray or anthracite in color. Investigators believe that the suspect may not be the owner of the car.
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They said that the car may have recently been purchased from a dealership or private party, the car may have been borrowed from a friend or family member, or the suspect may work at an auto dealership or repair shop
and attempted the kidnapping while on a test drive.
Police said the tinted windows or aftermarket wheels may have been recently installed on the car.
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After the incident was publicized on July 28, two other women told San Leandro police that they believe they may have been followed or contacted by the suspect.
One woman in a neighboring city reported that she may have been followed by men in a similar vehicle.
Another woman was walking on East 14th Street near West Juana Avenue in San Leandro a few days before July 28. A man fitting the description and driving the same Nissan Sentra drove along side her and tried
to talk to her, according to police.
She avoided the man and reported the incident to police.
"If you sold or loaned the Nissan to the suspect, if you work with or know him, or you work at a specialty shop that installed the tint or the wheels, you may be our missing link in this investigation. It's imperative that you call us with that information," Lt. Robert McManus said in a statement.
— Bay City News; Images via San Leandro Police
