Woman, 39, tries to kidnap 8-year-old girl after telling her neighbor she's from the Russian police

An unhinged 39-year-old woman claiming to be from the Russian police allegedly tried to abduct an 8-year-old girl before the child was rescued by her neighbor - who is like an 'uncle' to the youngster.

The alleged child snatcher, identified as Courtney Perrone, approached the girl as she was helping her neighbor put some animals into his car on Wednesday afternoon, local ABC7 News reported.

Perrone ran up to the vehicle parked south of Maple Street in Santa Monica and placed her arms on the child before shouting 'that's my daughter, that's my daughter.' 

A 'tug of war' between the neighbor and Perrone ensued, and at one point the menace held a switchblade to his face before fleeing the scene.

She was found by cops shortly after in the parking lot of Gelson's, a local grocer. Witnesses told officers she was the person who tried to abduct the child.

Police said that Perrone was homeless and appeared to live out of her BMW.

The neighbor, who identified himself as Mark, said the child was like a niece to him and the woman was 'acting like it was her kid,' as per the news outlet. 

He recalled her disheveled appearance explaining, 'she had lipstick all over her face and just looked a little crazy and stuff.'

He added: 'She's like, "I'm the Russian police and I'm here to save you."'

Perrone faces felony charges of attempted kidnapping and false imprisonment ,and a misdemeanor charge for the knife. Her arraignment was Friday.

Santa Monica Police Department said this is her first incident with the department but she has prior out-of-state arrests for assault and battery, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and trespassing. 

Perrone was involved in an alleged assault with a deadly weapon in Los Angeles but released for insufficient evidence. 

She is currently on probation stemming from a case in Nevada, and has an outstanding warrant for her arrest from New Hampshire, as per the news outlet.