Man Possibly Linked to Child Abduction Fears in Mar Vista Last Month Arrested on Unrelated Charge

Numerous Comments Showed That Neighbors Were Familiar With the Van and Concerned With the Driver’s Actions

By Zach Armstrong

A man who was recently arrested in Culver City, on an unrelated charge, is possibly the same one who Mar Vista residents feared made attempts of child abduction. 

Jose Noel Lara, 63, was arrested on Sunday by Culver City Police for an outstanding drug related felony. The arrest was made after police responded to a call about “suspicious activity” and located Lara’s white van on Moore Street off of Washington Blvd. 

Although Culver City Police PIO told Mirror Media Group that no radio calls or investigations looked into prior activity from Lara, his van is potentially linked to kidnapping fears that spread throughout Mar Vista and Del Rey last month after a local made a post on Nextdoor. 

In the Feb. 25 post, the local wrote “Our son (12) had a very strange experience today with a man in his 40s wearing a green cap and an older lady in this white van. They were tailing him as he walked to a friend’s house, pulled up ahead of him. The male got out of the van and opened the side door, then turned towards him. Our son was already feeling uncomfortable and went to cross the street. The guy followed him behind the truck watching him cross. Our son approached a couple walking their dog and asked them to wait with him, they did and then the guy walked back around, closed the side doors and got back into the truck and drove away, waving and smiling as though he knew our son. It was an older Chevrolet Express, white with lots of chipped paint. We have informed the police. They advised us to post this, to let the neighborhood know.”

Numerous comments showed that neighbors were familiar with the van and also concerned with the driver’s actions.

One man wrote “Just came home to this exact van outside my home on Kenyon and Louise. Told the driver in a green cap to GTFO the neighborhood and that we all know what they’re up to. He smiled and said he was waiting for someone and then drove 30 meters down the road.” Another woman commented “I have seen this same Van (it is very distinctive) driving around my neighborhood for some time now. And my instincts told me there was something very bad about this van.”

Comments left in recent days indicate this is the same van involved in the Sunday arrest made by Culver City Police. One person commented “Update! Culver City PD has him in custody,” while another posted “The van had been parked on Moore.”

in Hard, News
Related Posts

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Fire Survivors Urged to Shape Rebuilding Efforts with Digital Feedback Platform

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The initiative, launched in February, marks California’s first large-scale use of a dedicated digital tool to gather wildfire survivor feedback...

(Video) Italian Eatery Finds New West LA Home after Wildfire Displacement

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Cinque Terra, a longstanding Palisadian establishment, has brought its Northern Italian cuisine to Rose Avenue Italian Eatery Finds New West...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

County Launches AI Pilot to Speed Rebuilding After Fires

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The pilot targets early adopters whose homes, located in R-1 residential zones, were damaged by the wildfires Los Angeles County...

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018  A 66-year-old Santa Monica...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

ICE Raids Disrupt Labor in Fire Recovery Efforts: REPORT

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Immigrants, comprising about 75% of Los Angeles County’s construction workforce with nearly half undocumented, per a Bay Area Council analysis,...

Nonprofit Formed by Palisades High Alumni to Host Benefit Concert for Fire Recovery

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

All proceeds will support relief for the Hildebrand family, Palisades High School’s booster club and Palisades Dolphin Strong The Pacific...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

Elvis’ TV Legacy in Beverly Hills to be Explored in Upcoming Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The session will feature rare clips from the Paley Archive, including Presley’s debut TV appearance, his 1968 Comeback Special, performances...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...