Crime

Caught on Video: Heroic Strangers Wrestle Would-Be Kidnapper to the Ground

Several early morning commuters heroically stepped in to foil the attempted kidnapping of a teenage girl at a South Los Angeles light rail station Thursday morning, preventing a convicted sex offender from potentially claiming another victim.

“Eight to 10 people wrestled him to the ground,” sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said. “The bystanders refused to let this occur. They brought this man to the ground, and there was a fight. It was an aggressive fight,” he added.

Security cameras captured the group of Good Samaritans tackling the girl’s would-be attacker:

Local Fox affiliate KCOP reports:

When they arrived, witnesses told deputies that commuters at the station had wrestled a man to the ground after he grabbed an unidentified teenage girl from behind and tried to drag her away. The girl broke free and ran away, Whitmore said. The attacker fled on an arriving train. The suspect is identified as James Alfred Burnett, a 46-year-old registered sex offender with a criminal history.

When Burnett arrived at the Imperial station, waiting deputies arrested him, Whitmore said. He was booked on suspicion of attempted kidnapping. Burnett was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for cuts and bruises.

The girl left the scene but has since contacted police after media reports about the story.

Comments (99)

1 2
  • glimmer man
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:34am

    Well i guess I could find a poll that says all libs are baby killers

    Report Post » glimmer man  
  • glimmer man
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:32am

    moss brain that it what you brain is made of how can you polticalize a seral killer I dont think they were thinking about the poltical ideas when they were killing someone .

    Report Post » glimmer man  
  • glimmer man
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:28am

    I say when you are caught in the act you go straghit to jail dont need no trial

    Report Post » glimmer man  
  • loadingmyclips
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:27am

    Maybe he mistook her for one of
    his illegimate daughters?? and just was saying “HI” in a b guy sorta way?!!?

    Report Post » loadingmyclips  
  • glimmer man
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:25am

    Wait and see I bet the people who stoped ths guy gets sued by him and he will want charges brought against them

    Report Post » glimmer man  
  • Islesfordian
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:01am

    What did that guy think he was going to do with the girl? Who graps someone like that in public with no means of quick exit? It seems so irrational, which makes me think this guy is probably not just a perv but a crazy one or hopped up on drugs.

    He could be very dangerous to tackle. So congrats to the heroes.

    Now could we put this guy somewhere safe, like in a grave?

    Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • chdorb
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:00am

    @mossbrain I’d just like to point out that just because you vote Republican and are active in the Republican Party does not make you a conservative.

    Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 7:58am

    Jesse Jackson will demand the kidnapper/rapists release, claiming his arrest was racial.

    Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 7:36am

    The would be kidnapper/potential rapist can always claim he’s a Hollywood director and he was merely considering rape-rape, (Liberal Whoopie’s Term) and the Hollywood crowd will picket and scream to have him released. Maybe he wants to go to France.

    Report Post »  
  • Fina Biscotti
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 7:15am

    I have noticed that Americans are – even – stepping in – to stop – unnecessary sassiness – and public displays of bullshyt.

    So I am not surprised that Americans are coming forward and kicking a$$…….for a good reason.

    The sex offender stalking people – looking for a victim – and when to strike – would get a good a$$-whipping around here – if not shot dead.

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 6:55am

    God Bless those who stepped up to save her

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 6:51am

    I guess that we all have stories. My kids washed their dad’s new truck with sos pads. As for my dad, he was wonderful. He died in1985 and I miss him more than I can say. This animal that tried to abduct this young girl was stopped thanks to some awesome strangers. Kudos to all of them and thank God they were able to stop this low-life. This story gives me hope and makes me feel proud that there are still people like them out there.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
    • Tnredneck
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 7:43am

      Lucky for me I caught my daughter attempting to use an SOS pad on the car but stopped her in time. I took her to work working on ac equipment as punishment and she enjoyed it. She regularly helps me out on Saturdays and loves it. She is 15 and calls it her daddy time.

      Report Post »  
  • BobParker2003
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 6:34am

    More of those people that believe in the rule of law. God Bless all of them!

    Report Post »  
  • jungle J
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 6:24am

    There will always be brave people…some brave enough to try to rape and others brave enough to stop them at the risk of their own life….what’s the difference…family and sanity.

    Report Post »  
    • quicker
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:55am

      To rape a person is not brave,it is aperverted person who is usealy bigger than the intened victem.This person doe`s these acts of violance out of rage and power over the victem.There seems to be no cure for this type of behaveior .Many once they get out of prison repete,sometimes also kill their victems in most cases.they also destory the victems for the rest of their lives.This crime should be treated as a crime aginst humanity.Death sentence or lock away for life…….!!!!

      Report Post » quicker  
  • goatkid
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 5:37am

    Love thy neighbor as thy self. Good for them. Nice to see that the world hasn’t gone completely to hell in a hand basket.

    Report Post »  
  • Sparhawk
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:47am

    Amazing video, absolutely amazing that people in LA are willing to come to the rescue of a total stranger like that. Bravo!

    Even more amazing, though, is how long the station left that HUMONGOUS typo on the screen for most of the segment: “ABDUCTION TWARTHED”. Just how does the Fox affiliate in the nation’s 2nd largest market misspell “thwarted”, let alone leave it on the screen off and on for almost a 2-minute segment? That is hilarious.

    Report Post »  
    • straxt
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 11:25am

      I was wondering if I was the only one that noticed that horrible misspelling. . . I liked to have spit my teeth out laughing. So there are still good people in L.A. but there are no proof readers. . . just saying,

      Report Post » straxt  
  • skiziks20453
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:14am

    Good job LA … New Yorkers would have vidioed it and youtubed it.

    Report Post »  
  • saviorammo
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:00am

    And who is it that lets these animals back into society? Compassionate libs. Disgusting. These animals can NEVER be rehabilitated. Hang them immediately. I am so tired of these registered animials getting another victim.

    Kudos to L.A.. We know this piece of trash would never take another breath in the heartland.

    Report Post »  
  • silentwatcher
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:51am

    SHOWTIME

    Sounds like a good man……and I know he truely earned his dollars during his profession!!.

    Report Post »  
  • jensei
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:45am

    Response to MossBrain:
    What a ridiculous argument that most serial killers are conservative and that somehow implies, what? That conservatives are evil. Hmmm. Let’s apply that same theory in the other direction. Most dictators and leaders of countries where millions upon millions of people were murdered were certainly not conservative. They were primarily communist which by definition is the opposite of conservative. Mao, Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot etc… Evil murdering dictators vs. evil murdering serial killers. Both sick bastards but I have to give it to the left.

    Report Post »  
    • semidisk
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:47am

      “We gain no analysis from this, it garners us no insight into the workings of the minds of conservative politicians or serial killers”

      Read the whole post next time.

      Report Post »  
  • NeoKong
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:21am

    Give him a blood test.His blood will be polluted with cocaine or meth.
    How can you explain trying to abduct a girl where he might have to drag her 1,000 feet to your car past hundreds of people….?
    Drugs.

    Report Post » NeoKong  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 12:53am

    treated for cuts and bruises. to bad the did not gut him on the spot,they still should .people like this animal has had every chance to stop this kind of ignorance,but when the left scream that prisons are to harsh and want inmates released early ,because they can be rehab,is the reason they continue to rape steal and murder,there are no hard consequences for their actions,idiots like van jones love criminals like this ,and they spend a lot of time and money trying to get them set free,just so than can strike again, so if they would just gut him,i bet he would not try it again,and to those who held this young girl,thank you for standing up,you are true hero’s ,just next time gut them or kill them and save the space in the jail.

    Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:07am

      Unless he had a weapon, gutting him would have been more force than necessary. You just can‘t go out and kill people because you don’t like what they’re doing.

      I guess you heard about the Molotov cocktail that the union worker threw at a conservative today?

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • P C BE DAMNED
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 10:37pm

      showti

      Gutting a child molester is not enough. Your deep feelings for this child molester leave me puzzled. Have you thought about what would have happened after this creep finished with her. I guess not.

      Report Post » P C BE DAMNED  
    • P C BE DAMNED
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 10:39pm

      I’am waiting for silent (50 personal blogs ) to come to your rescue showti

      Report Post » P C BE DAMNED  
  • exdem
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 12:45am

    Shame one of the heros didnt have a gun to save this perverts future victims and the taxpayers some money as well.

    Report Post »  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 12:50am

      Yeah – just should have shot him!!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-KX

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:02am

      Trust me when I say that prison is VERY uncomfortable (to say the least) for a sex offender. It is a very, very bad stay for them.

      Report Post »  
    • BurntHills
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:24am

      sex killer Richard Speck had a “wonderful” life and a husband-cellmate in IL. he gave interviews and documentaries and was even filmed.. disgusting. no, not all sex offenders have it rough in prison.

      Report Post » BurntHills  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:30am

      I can bet that he’s had his arse whipped on several occasions…..with more to come.

      Report Post »  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 12:43am

    There are still good people in LA….WOW

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • silentwatcher
    Posted on March 19, 2011 at 12:42am

    Must be conservatives……………..

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 12:49am

      There are “angels out there .. WAY TO GO!

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 12:49am

      It‘s for darned sure the perp wasn’t a conservative!

      You’re a quiet person, aren’t you? You remind me of the way my daddy was.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 12:53am

      No, the perp was NOT a conservative…..but you couldn’t expect a progressive to come to ANY ones aid, unless there was something financial in it for them.

      Report Post »  
    • PrfctlyFrank
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 12:57am

      Hows this lunatic loose on the street?? Seriously?? Just walk up to a busy station and just grab a girl, almost his size from the looks of it?? If this guy is that dangerous how is it he’s on the streets??

      Report Post » PrfctlyFrank  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:01am

      It does not matter what side the hero’s are; they rescued the girl and stopped this abomination who calls himself a man from doing a great evil upon a innocent girl. Glad they just did not stand aside and let it happen.

      This does show people in the nation have the ‘right stuff’ to take a stand, and make things happen. I hope they are also not sued by this scum of the earth, for in a LA court, I could see him winning and even using the excuse of their attack to somehow walk…claiming they grabbed and harmed him for the ‘wrong reasons’

      Hope he gets the book tossed at him.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:01am

      Yes, fairly quiet. Not too verbose- more of a ‘watcher’ than talker-it let’s me hear more.

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:03am

      @Silent Watcher –
      I saw the “s” on your “conservatives.” Was just reinforcing your statement.

      Have a question for you.

      When your kids were growing up and they helped you repair something, did you explain to them what you were doing and then make then tell you what was done, how to do it?

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:05am

      @Silentwatcher

      Imagine what would have happened to that perv if there had been a band of ARMY or MARINES seeing it happen? I think then the only matter to settle would be how small of a body bag would be needed to pick up the peices…

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • mossbrain
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:10am

      A new poll of living and deceased serial killers has shown that upwards of 80 per cent lean towards conservative ideals and the majority routinely voted Republican, something becoming more and more common throughout the United States as a whole.dennis rader btk

      “Across the board, serial killers are predominantly conservative in their political leanings. Gary Ridgeway, Dennis Rader, and probably the biggest name of all, Ted Bundy, were all active in the Republican Party at some level. Quizzing other killers showed the same thing, that the vast majority vote Republican,” said lead pollster David Quick. “We gain no analysis from this, it garners us no insight into the workings of the minds of conservative politicians or serial killers, but it is an overwhelming majority. Because serial killers come from diverse backgrounds and possess vastly different IQ’s they appear to have nothing in common save their conservative ideals and their desire to butcher people. It’s compelling data to be sure.”

      Report Post » mossbrain  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:11am

      to PrfctlyFrank

      Our laws are fairly liberal and can be so liberal in some states that they are ‘offensive.’ There has been a lot of screaming from the public about tightening up certain laws because it is believed they are not effective enough. Sex offenders do not have enough of a sentence to suit the majority of the public and as a result, they are released back to the street. Many re-offend.

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:18am

      SNOWLEOPARD

      True,,,,the perp was VERY lucky that someone wasn‘t there conftronting him who had a ’strong constitution’, lest he not ever have to be of concern to anyone else again.

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:22am

      SHOWTIME

      When the kids helped, I explained what I was doing and why,,,,,whether it was raising cows/chickens, planting a garden, or doing any kind of repairs. I also explained to them about self-sufficiency. They knew what we did was for personal gain, not for saving money-but they did recognize that fact, as well.

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:38am

      @Silent Watcher ~
      I thought so. My daddy used to do the same thing, so I’d know how, but I had to tell him so he’d know I understood. The kitchen lighjt switch went bad, and I held the flashlight while he changed it out and explained how/ what he was doing, and I had to explain it all back to him. Not long afterwards, the switch in my room went bad, and I just went down and bought another one and changed it myself. I was in my early teens and had a bicycle. When he got home from work, I told him what I’d done. He went to my room and removed the plate, inspected it, and said it was done right but asked me not to do that again unless he was there to watch — just in case. I caught him grinning.

      He was a prison guard when he and Mama were married.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 1:52am

      I’m curious,,,,are you from the southwest?

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:05am

      SHOWTIME

      Sounds like a good man……and I know he truely earned his dollars during his profession!!.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:05am

      @Showtime and Silentwatcher

      I have read the posts of how you were shown things by your dad or explained why you did things and how to your kids. My grandpa used to do the same thing, I still remember the first time he let me use a drill to make a hole in a peice of wood he worked on; he held most of the drill, which was very slow, and let me push down the button making it work…exciting and the beginning of so many lessons I am glad to have learned from him.

      Your posts reminded me of several happy times with him, before he passed, so thank you both.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:07am

      Southwest? No, Sir. I have the most “country-fied” Southern accents you’ll ever hear, thanks to my daddy’s side of the family. He was from Vance Co., NC. I went from Raleigh to SC, NC, and back & forth to NC & GA, where I am now. People have always wanted to know where I was from because of my accent. A barbecue place in GA said they knew I wasn’t from around here when I said, “no sauce, just mustard and sla-aw.”

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:15am

      @SnowLeopard ~
      @Silent Watcher ~

      Yes, he was a good man, a good husband, and a good father. Guess you can tell I miss him. He died in 1975. Seems like year before last, sorta. I think about him a lot because he was worth remembering. He had values and honor. Couldn’t stand a liar or a thief, and he had good ol’ common sense..

      Snow, it’s kinda nice to remember the quality time. Glad you enjoyed our conversation and had memories of your own that you can look back fondly on. It does us good.

      I don’t know why Silent Watcher got my attention except that, like my dad, when Silent Watcher speaks, he has something to say that we can learn from. I like his style.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:26am

      SHOWTIME
      I sensed a southern draw, believe it or not,,,in your writing. I just couldn’t tell if it was east or west………

      SNOWLEOPARD
      Yea, when you’re young,,,everything is new and exciting. When they are shared, you tend to remember them.

      My youngest daughter, when she was 5, helped me wash my truck. I gave her a rag and she ‘went to town’ on cleaning (of course, the lower part of the truck) After a few minutes, I noticed she left, and a few minutes later she was back to cleaning the truck again. A few minutes later I noticed she appeared to be focusing on one spot. I thought she may be trying to remove some tar or something ‘stubborn.’ I went to rinse my area and hers and noticed the steel brush in her hand. I asked her if she was using the steel brush to clean the truck and she said ‘yes.’ Apparently, when she left earlier, she had gone into the garage to get something that would clean ‘better.’ She was right, the steel brush did the job-it took the paint off the truck about the size of a grapefruit. New truck too!! No, I didn’t get mad,,but I did explain to her that the paint had to stay on the truck and it was the dirt we were trying to remove. By the way,,,,she ‘helped me’ tape off the area and repaint it….not a big deal. Now, 20 years later,,,we sometimes still kid around about helping each other clean our vehicles!!!! Funny how some things ‘hang on.’

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:31am

      I was stationed in N.C. in 76-78. But you don‘t get much ’drawl’ here in northern Minnesota.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 2:52am

      @Silentwatcher:

      Steel brush and a five year old…I was nine when grandpa tried pulling a old stump from the ground with the old jeep (a old Roland jeep) and imagine the shock when after thinking it came out to find the following path…

      Tree stump…chain…bumper…

      The tree stump still is in the ground all these years later.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 3:00am

      Lmaorotf……

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 3:02am

      But I know that he wasn’t the only one that did that!!

      Report Post »  
    • ottodiedacktick
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 3:19am

      Something is changing in America. People are getting involved. I think it has something to do with the radiation that’s falling on us. People are becoming Captain America!

      Report Post »  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 6:36am

      Great news….
      Well until his Lawyers sue the pants off the good Samaratans…You know it’s coming. That’s why the thing that is happening in Japan can never happen here. Lawsuits stop goodness…

      Report Post »  
    • BLACKDIAMONDSKIER
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:35am

      This is the kind of stuff you like to see in our country. Goodness and love for each other. A willingness to put self last and others first. I would like to offer those people who helped a handshake and a sincere thank you from down South.

      Just watch….some wonderful progressive will sue those that helped for attacking the poor little disinfranchised, oppressed kidnapper and get him out of jail soon. Meanwhile, the people that helped will the thrown into jail for breaking a regulation while trying to save the girl.

      Report Post »  
    • SlimnRanger
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:45am

      My thoughts have always been that sex offenders should have their penis amputated

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:59am

      without a doubt conservatives…can we get Rep.Weiner to sponser a bill in congress that would mandate for convicted sex offenders the removal of their wiener….

      Report Post »  
    • Oil_Robb
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 10:44am

      If you have time….I have discovered the smartest black man ever
      go on youtbe and search Dr. Manning
      what a breath of fresh air

      Report Post »  
    • colonial10
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 10:49am

      We all need to stand up to these offenders. It’s not just sex offenders but gangs kidnapping girls for sex slaves. We know it’s happening and as Americans we all need to step up the fight. America can only solve her own problems. I’m glad there are people out there willing to fight.

      Report Post » colonial10  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 11:27am

      Great story but why was he out of jail, able to prey on yet another victim? When will they just dispose of these people, they are not going to change, and registering them is hardly a deterrent. Animals at best.

      Report Post »  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 9:14pm

      If it was New York she would be dead.

      Report Post »  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 9:49pm

      Death Penalty for that piece of scab!!!

      Report Post »  
    • towerguy
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 10:10pm

      @Silent – you got it. The liberals watching were probably talking about how the attacker had a poor childhood and wasn’t responsible for his actions.

      Report Post » towerguy  
    • P C BE DAMNED
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 10:25pm

      Silentwa showti
      Get a room. I would like to read the news and comments on the same. You guys sound horny.

      Report Post » P C BE DAMNED  
    • P C BE DAMNED
      Posted on March 19, 2011 at 10:26pm

      silent showt
      We will all be here for your nasty breakup.

      Report Post » P C BE DAMNED  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 20, 2011 at 12:07am

      you would think that.

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on March 20, 2011 at 5:42pm

      Hey Mossy How did they contact the Deceased Serial Killers for this poll?/

      Chicago Polling At it’s Best

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love