Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department, Wilshire Area Detectives are requesting the public’s assistance in locating the victim of a kidnapping, Petra Ponce, a 12 year-old female Hispanic.

Petra was last seen with the suspect on December 26, 2002, at approximately 1:00 p.m., at the McDonalds restaurant, located at Pico Boulevard and Hi Point Street. At that time, the suspect gave a note to the brother of the victim, saying that he was going to take care of her. An additional witness was located and stated that he observed the suspect packing his belongings in his vehicle, stating that he was leaving for Mexico.

Wilshire Area Detectives have identified the suspect as Geronimo Luevanos Galvan, a male Hispanic, 30 years of age. Galvan befriended Petra and developed a relationship with her over the past six months.

Galvan is 5’7", 165 lbs., and has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen driving a blue 1987 Honda Civic, California license plate of 4XQP889.

Photographs of the kidnap suspect and Petra are available at Wilshire Area Community Police Station.

Anyone with information should contact Wilshire Area Juvenile Unit at
213-847-3998. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.