WHO:
Los Angeles City Councilmembers Tom LaBonge & Jack Weiss
LAPD Deputy Chief David Kalish, Commanding Officer, Operations West Bureau

WHAT:
Press Conference-Announcing $25,000 Reward for Sexual Predator

WHEN:
Thursday, August 15, 2002
12:00 noon

WHERE:
Pan Pacific Park (Parking Lot)
Beverly Boulevard & North Gardner Street

Los Angeles: On August 13, 2002, an 87 year-old female was home alone in the 900 block of Schumacher Drive. The victim heard a knock at her front door. The victim went to the door and did not see anyone. When the victim returned to her den, a male had entered her residence through a sliding glass door. The male sexually assaulted the victim and fled with her property.

It is believed the same suspect is responsible for all the following incidents:

On July 26, 2002, at approximately 3:00 p.m., an 81 year-old female was in front of her residence, near Vine Street and Melrose Avenue, when a male approached her. The male began to converse with the female. The male left and returned a short time later as the female was entering her residence. The male attempted to have the female open the door. When the female asked for identification, the male left.

On July 26, 2002, at approximately 7:30 p.m., an 84 year-old female was inside her residence in the area of Beverly Boulevard and Irving Boulevard. A male knocked on her front door and engaged the female in conversation. It appeared the male wanted the female to open the door. The male left after the female did not open the door.

On July 27, 2002, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a 65 year-old female was inside her residence in the area of Melrose Avenue and Cherokee Avenue. A male knocked on her front door and engaged the female in conversation. It appeared the male wanted the female to open the door. The male left after the female did not open the door.

On July 27, 2002, at 2:00 p.m., an 87 year-old female was home alone in the area of 3^rd Street and June Street. The victim went into her backyard, leaving her rear door open. When she returned to her residence, a male suspect confronted her inside. The suspect demanded her money and ransacked the residence. The suspect sexually assaulted the victim prior to locking her in the closet. The victim was able to free herself and discovered the suspect was no longer in the residence.

On July 28, 2002, at 6:30 p.m., a 75 year-old female was home alone in the 6000 block of Ivarene Avenue. The victim was watching television in her living room when a male covered her mouth with his hand. The suspect demanded the victim’s money and then went through her property. The suspect then sexually assaulted the victim.

On August 4, 2002, at approximately 3:00 p.m., an 82 year-old female was home alone near 6^th Street and Mansfield Avenue. There was a knock at the front door. When the victim answered the door, the suspect forced his way into the apartment. The suspect demanded the victim’s money and then fled the residence with the victim’s property.

All of the victims have completed composite drawings. The suspect is described as a male, Caucasian or Hispanic, 25-35 years of age, 6’ tall, 180-200 pounds, receding hairline.

"These despicable attacks have continued despite heavy exposure in the media and many hours of excellent detective work by the LAPD. We hope the reward of $25,000.00 will prompt someone who might have information to come forward so our elderly residents can feel secure in their homes once again," said Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

The suspect is described as a male, Caucasian or Hispanic, 25-35 years of age, 6’ tall, 180-200 pounds.