Father Abducts Children From Park In Panorama City

August 5, 2006

On August 5, 2006, at about 3:00 p.m., David Mendoza and his children where located in Salt Lake City, Utah at a family members home. The mother of the children advised LAPD of the children’s and Mendoza’s whereabouts.Department personnel then called the Sheriff’s Department in Salt Lake City, Utah, and they where able to take David Mendoza and the children into custody.David Mendoza was arrested for 3 counts of Child Abduction.The mother of the children is on her way to Salt Lake City, Utah where she will be reunited with her children.

Los Angeles: A father of three abducted his little girl and two little boys last night and may have fled with them to Utah. Police are requesting the public’s help in determining their whereabouts.

On Friday, August 4, 2006, around 8:00 p.m., David Mendoza, 32, took his children from
Kester Park at 8825 Kester Avenue, in Panorama City, as they left a class they had just attended. The children’s mother has sole custody. Mendoza stated he was taking the children, ages 2 to 11, back to his home in Magna, Utah.

Mr. Mendoza’s vehicle is a green 1999 Chevrolet Astro van, Utah license 590UAV.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Mission Area Watch Commander at 818-838-9800. The public may also call the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).