Attempted kidnapping of boy, 8, in Los Cerritos area shocks family, neighbors

Long Beach police are continuing their investigation into the attempted kidnapping of an 8-year-old boy in the Los Cerritos Neighborhood that has left a family in shock.

Najah Chavis said her son, Loie, was taking out a bag of dirty diapers to a garbage bin 15 feet from their front door Monday shortly after 5 p.m.

“I can see it from my door,” Chavis said. “I’m always very cautious, very careful. I tued my back for a minute and a half. When he didn’t come back I called his name.”

When he didn’t respond, she yelled Loie’s name, checked around her building and in the garage, but he was not there.

Chavis alerted neighbors who offered to watch her two younger children while she continued her search. She called her husband and retued to her building a short time later and saw the diaper bag lying on the ground. She called police.

Police investigation

The incident in the 3700 block of Country Club Drive was considered a critical case, said Sgt. Bradley Johnson, a police spokesman, in an email.

While officers were investigating at the scene, the boy was found by a neighbor, Diana Hershey, about a half mile away in the 3800 block of Pacific Avenue, Johnson said. Hershey walked Loie back home. Officers leaed that he was approached by two men while taking out the trash. He dropped the bag and ran.

No arrest has been made in the case and the investigation is ongoing, he said.

A watchful neighbor

Hershey grew up in Los Cerritos and has lived on her block for the last 20 years. She was working in her garden Monday evening when she heard a child sobbing down the street. Hershey stepped out to see what was the matter. The boy ran toward her, still sobbing.

“Did someone hurt you?” she asked.

“I miss my mom and dad,” he said.

The boy was too afraid to get into Hershey’s car so she offered to walk him home.

“I let him take my hand and lead me,” she said. “He was so tired. He was ready to fall down.”

The boy told her that a pair of masked and gloved men tried to grab him while he took out the diaper bag. One of the men knocked him down. The other told him get up.

“He made his escape,” Hershey said. “I told him ‘you’re safe with me.’”

A community response

Bob Gill, president of the Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association, said his organization acts as an umbrella for the area including on discussions of public safety issues. The association typically holds twice-yearly meetings with Long Beach Police North Division Cmdr. Rudy Komisza and local elected leaders, but does not coordinate neighborhood watch groups on a hyperlocal level.

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Some blocks in Los Cerritos have very active community watch groups, but not all of them, Gill said.

The attempted kidnapping would be a high-priority issue at the association’s next board meeting, he said. Any residents with questions, conces or suggestions should email [email protected].

“Regardless of what area it is, if you see something suspicious, contact the local police department,” Komisza said. “It’s always prudent for neighbors to be vigilant and report suspicious activity.”

In a statement, 7th District Councilman Roberto Uranga said he was troubled by what happened.

“The safety and welfare of our children always comes first,” he said. “I am working with the police department to increase patrols in the area and encourage any potential witnesses to come forward as the investigation continues. I am committed to hosting community watch meetings and working with residents to ensure public safety.”

Both Chavis and Hershey joined in calls for community vigilance.

“I grew up in Los Cerritos,” Chavis said. “This is home for me ... I’m trying to start a parent group. We need to be able to coect.”

Any residents interested in setting up community watch should contact:

• North Division Neighborhood Services Specialist Erika Moreno at 562-570-9825

• North Division Police Resource Officer Jose Gonzalez at 562-570-9827

• email [email protected]