A 4-year-old was abducted from the Panda Express restaurant in the 1900 block of Lincoln Boulevard and was later found in a room at the Holiday Motel & Suites at 1102 Pico Boulevard, along with the suspect.
At approximately 12:11pm on Friday afternoon, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) received a frantic call for help from a grandmother whose granddaughter had been kidnapped from a restaurant in the strip mall at the Pico Blvd and Lincoln Blvd intersection.
According to SMPD, the first officers were on the scene within minutes of the call being dispatched, gathering video images of the probable kidnapper and child to send to additional units who were on their way.
More than 30 sworn officers together with civilian personnel, flooded the area, searching for the subject described as a heavyset white female in her 30s. At 12:37pm, officers from the Downtown Services Unit located the suspect and child in a room at the Holiday Motel. Thankfully, the child was unharmed and the suspect was taken into custody.
In a statement, the SMPD said, "Our heartfelt best wishes go out to the child and her family as they deal with the shock of this ordeal. We will do everything we can to make sure they are helped through this time and to make sure no stone is left unturned in the investigation."
The suspect will be booked into the Santa Monica jail on kidnapping charges and the Police Department says it will provide further updates within 24 hours. Additional information will be available when the case is presented to the District Attorney’s office.
The Police Department says that this early in the investigation, "We cannot confirm the suspect's criminal history. It appears she has been residing at the Holiday Motel for an extended period of time, but it is too soon to confirm any details other than those shared above," a spokesperson said.
Mayor Phil Brock was soon on the scene and told the Daily Press, "I'm gratified that the Santa Monica Police Department responded forcefully, quickly and were able to rescue this young child. And we're able to accomplish it within 20 minutes," he said, adding, "I don't want this to happen and I can't imagine that grandmother's anguish, but the fact that Santa Monica Police treated this incident so seriously, but found that child and the perpetrator so quickly is amazing."
Anyone with information related to this incident or this individual is encouraged to contact the Watch Commander at Santa Monica Police headquarters at 310-458-8427 (24 hours).
+ + + UPDATE + + +
The suspect has been identified as Breanna Taylor Shields (DOB 1/22/93). Shield was booked for kidnapping (207 PC) and is eligible for a sentencing enhancement (208PC).
scott.snowden@smdp.com
