Man charged after allegedly trying to kidnap teens in Compton

A 35-year-old man was charged Tuesday after he allegedly tried to kidnap two teenage girls in Compton within a 15-minute span, prosecutors said.

Ashley Luther Price of Los Angeles was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon on two counts of attempted kidnapping to commit rape and one count of unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said. If convicted on the charges, he faces a maximum of 27 years in prison.

Officials allege Price took and used an acquaintance’s car in the attempted kidnappings, which occurred as the teenagers walked to school near Atlantic Avenue and Compton Boulevard the morning of Oct. 1.

Price allegedly first grabbed a 14-year-old girl and tried to drag her back to the vehicle, prosecutors said. But a good Samaritan -- described as a woman driving a new Dodge Charger -- “pulled the suspect off” of the girl and helped her escape, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.

Price then allegedly approached a 15-year-old girl about two miles away, but she managed to get away and ran home, authorities said.

pulled the suspect offThe suspect allegedly approached the next victim -- a 15-year-old girl -- about two miles away. Prosecutors said she “managed to get away” from the man and ran home.
The investigation into the case was ongoing, authorities said. Sheriff’s officials said Monday they believed there might be additional victims, and asked anyone with information to contact detectives at (310) 605-6532 or (310) 605-6500.

LASD Detective Cynthia Sanchez at (310) 605-6532 or Compton Sheriff’s Station at (310) 605-6500. - See more at: https://local.nixle.com/alert/5073792/#sthash.PVldi4U9.dpuf
Price had been convicted of carjacking in 2008, officials said. Prosecutors said they would recommend his bail be set at $2.1 million.

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