Concerned Citizen Credited With Stopping Kidnapping, Rape Of Girl, 17
PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) — A concerned Palmdale resident is credited Friday with stopping the kidnapping and rape of a 17-year-old girl.
Authorities said that Richard Stine, 29, a parolee previously charged with rape, accosted and kidnapped a 17-year-old on the corner of 30th Street East and Palmdale Boulevard at around 8:10 a.m.
Stine wears an ankle monitor, according to authorities.
They say he approached a teen from behind and stuck something in her back and warned her to keep waking or he would shoot her.
Officials said the teen started flailing her arms to get someone's attention.
Authorities said Stine was able to get the teen behind a nearby church and out of the view of the public.
The concerned citizen had noticed the teen flailing her arms and called the Palmdale Sheriff's Station reporting that a young woman appeared to be in distress and in need of help.
Deputies responded to the scene with red lights and sirens.
When the victim saw the car, she broke free and fled, said authorities. At this time, Stine ran towards deputies and gave himself up.
The victim was uninjured.
Stine was arrested and booked at the Palmdale Sheriff's Station.
Officials said he was booked on charges of kidnapping with the intent to rape. He is being held on $100,000 bail.
Stine is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at the Antelope Valley Courthouse.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Palmdale Sheriff's Station at (661) 272-2400.
