BREAKING NEWS: Police say Desmond suspect not involved in Redondo Beach kidnapping attempt

Redondo Beach police officers said today that Cori Desmond's alleged killer, Tony Lopez Perez, is not believed to be involved in the attempted kidnapping of a woman in January.

Perez's appearance is similar to a sketch created of an assailant and distributed to the public.

Detectives showed a series of photographs, including Perez's, to the victim and she did not pick him out as the attacker, Redondo Beach police Lt. Joe Hoffman said.

The victim told police she saw Perez's photograph on the news and he was definitely not the man, Hoffman said.

In the Jan. 3 crime, a white van pulled up to the woman as she walked near the intersection of Green Lane and Grant Avenue. The driver asked for directions.

When she moved close to offer help, the sliding side door opened and a man tried to pull her inside. The woman broke free and ran.

Police did not immediately release information about the crime report, but did shortly after Desmond's slaying when a sketch was completed. The news fueled speculation that the crimes were related, but police repeatedly said they were not.

San Bernardino County sheriff's homicide detectives investigating the Desmond slaying incorporated the white van incident into their questions, but developed no evidence that Perez was involved, Hoffman said.

Another woman reported a similar incident in Hermosa Beach, where police said they would also look into whether Perez could be a suspect in any crimes.