Man accused of attempted kidnapping outside Victorville courthouse

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A 39-year-old Alhambra man was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnapping after he allegedly tried to force a 42-year-old woman into his vehicle in the parking lot of the Victorville branch of San Bernardino County Superior Court on Monday morning. The suspect, Esteban Martinez, was detained about two hours later in a nearby parking lot, where deputies found a sheathed knife in his Mercedes-Benz but no firearm.

Why it matters

Attempted kidnappings are a serious crime that can traumatize victims and raise public safety concerns, especially when they occur in broad daylight outside a courthouse. This incident highlights the need for heightened security measures and vigilance to protect citizens in public spaces.

The details

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the incident occurred around 8:40 a.m. on March 30 in the parking lot of the Victorville courthouse. The suspect, Esteban Martinez, allegedly approached the 42-year-old female victim, ordered her multiple times to get into his vehicle, and displayed what appeared to be a weapon. The victim was able to walk away and contact law enforcement. Deputies located and detained Martinez about two hours later in a nearby parking lot, where they searched his Mercedes-Benz and found a sheathed knife but no firearm.

• The incident occurred around 8:40 a.m. on March 30, 2026.
• Martinez was detained by deputies about two hours later.

What’s next

Martinez is being held on $180,000 bail pending legal proceedings. The investigation into the attempted kidnapping is ongoing.