Police Seek More Victims After Attempted Kidnapping in Neighboring Venice

A 33-year-old man who allegedly lured a teenage girl into his car in Venice and promised her a career in modeling remained in custody Wednesday as authorities asked for other victims to come forward.

Shota Mgeladze, of Los Angeles, is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to kidnapping for sexual motive and is next scheduled to appear in court Dec. 16, according to court documents.

The teenage girl was standing outside of a school about 3:35 p.m. on Nov. 29 in the 600 block of 5th Avenue in Venice, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department. A man drove up in a silver, two-door 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL55 with paper plates and used a ruse to get the girl into his car, police said. Once the girl was in the car, the man began to drive and told her she was beautiful and that he could make her a model. Mgeladze allegedly asked the girl if he could take nude pictures of her and then abruptly pulled over to park, grabbed the girl's left leg and pulled her toward him, police said.

The girl kicked him in the face and shoulder area, got out of the car and ran away, police said. Police officers from the LAPD's Pacific Division arrested Mgeladze about 6:45 p.m. the same day.

Investigators commended the teenager for her strength and bravery and are trying to eliminate the possibilities of other sexual assault victims.

Police have learned through their investigation that there may be other potential victims, said Detective Kim Porter of the Operations-West Bureau, Sexual Assault Detail. 

"We just want to encourage victims to come forward because we do believe he has done this before and we need to obviously protect our young girls out there," Porter said.

Anyone with information should call Porter at 213-473-0447. During non-business hours or on weekends, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7 and anonymous tipsters can call 1-800-222-TIPS.

Police released a photo of Mgeladze and an image of a similar-looking vehicle in an effort to get past victims to come forward.