Search Continues For Transient Accused In Northridge Kidnapping
NORTHRIDGE (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles police Sunday continued to search for a transient suspected in last week's kidnapping of a 10-year-old girl from Northridge.
About 40 detectives have been assigned to the case and are working around-the-clock to bring in 30-year-old Tobias Dustin Summers.
Summers was identified by police during a Saturday afternoon press conference as the sole suspect wanted in connection with the March 27, kidnapping.
The child was taken from her family's home and held captive for 12 hours before being dropped off at a hospital. She was found wandering a Woodland Hills Starbucks parking lot with cuts and bruises to her face.
The girl told police that she was held by two men in an abandoned home and a storage facility. But police say Summers remains the focus of their investigation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also assisting in the search and says it stands prepared to get a federal warrant, if need be.
"Should he leave the state, we will have a multitude of resources throughout the state and international, if necessary, to take him into custody," said Bill Lewis of the FBI-Los Angeles.
Former neighbors, who asked not to be identified, said Summers occasionally stayed in a Reseda complex with his mother and siblings. The family moved out about a year ago.
"It was a relief when they moved out of the neighborhood. It was. A lot of people felt safer," one woman said.
Another former neighbor said Summers had a reputation for "having done drugs" and having "gotten into trouble in the neighborhood."
Police say Summers has an extensive criminal past dating back to 2002. His arrests include: robbery, kidnapping, possession of explosives, petty theft, grand theft auto, and child annoyance.
He was released from prison in July 2012 but was recently incarcerated for an alleged parole violation.
"He is considered by probation to be a transient. However, he frequents the areas of Devonshire and North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley," said LAPD Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese.
Police have not disclosed what led them to suspect Summers.
"We have no information that the family knew this individual or that the individual knew any members of the family," Albanese said.
Summers is described as a white man with blue eyes and blonde close cropped hair. He is 6-feet tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has a distinctive tattoo of a large tattoo of a flaming skeleton face and a woman on his right arm.
Anyone with more information as to Summers' whereabouts is asked to call the Robbery Homicide Topline at (213) 486-6890. Those who may spot the suspect are urged to immediately dial 911.
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