What:
Press Conference

When:
Thursday, July 26, 2001
1:00 p.m.

When:
Northeast Community Police Station
3353 San Fernando Road
Los Angeles

Los Angeles: Robbery-Homicide Division, Rape Special Section, is investigating a sexual assault, which occurred on July 23, 2001, at approximately 3:30 p.m. The victim, a 15 year old Marshall High School student, was approached by a male Hispanic suspect as she was walking on Hyperion Avenue between Waverly Drive and Riverside Drive. The suspect grabbed the victim from behind in a bear hug and fondled her. The suspect then took her money and fled on foot.

This incident is believed to be one of a series of sexual assaults, which began in the Northeast Area since April 24, 1995. Most of the sexual assaults have occurred near the Hyperion Bridge in Northeast Area. In each of these cases, the female victims, all high school age, were approached by a male Hispanic suspect in the early morning hours as they were walking to school or in the afternoon hours following the school day. While approaching the victims, the suspect would appear to be jogging. As the victims stopped to allow him to pass, the suspect would grab them and initiate his attack.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, black / gray hair, 5’5/ 5’8, heavy build, with a weight between 200-280 lbs., 35-50 years, dark complexion. The suspect was last seen wearing a black knit cap pulled over his ears, a blue T-shirt with yellow letters, khaki calf length shorts, and black and white tennis shoes.

The dates and locations where the incidents have occurred are as follows:

• April 24, 1995 at 3:40 p.m. Waverly Drive and Hyperion Avenue

• December 2, 1995 at 3:45 p.m. 3100 Block Hyperion Avenue

• August, 10, 1996 at 7:00 a.m. Hyperion Avenue and Glendale Boulevard

• October, 1, 1996 at 7:10 a.m. Hyperion Avenue and Waverly Drive

• July 29, 1997 at 6:35 a.m. Hyperion Avenue and Riverside Drive

• January 15, 1998 at 3:10 p.m. Hyperion Avenue and Waverly Drive

• March 20, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. Hollydale Drive and Glendale Boulevard

• April 13, 2001 at 7:30 a.m. 5306 North Figueroa Street

• June 15, 2001 at 12:50 p.m. La Paz Drive and Avenal Street

• July 24, 2001 at 3:30 p.m. Hyperion Avenue and Waverly

Robbery-Homicide Division is also investigating three possibly related incidents, which occurred near the 110 Freeway Overpass at Arroyo Seco Drive and Ave 33 in Hollenbeck Area. The incident dates and locations in that series are as follows:

• September 25, 1999 at 9:30 a.m. 110 Freeway overpass at Avenue 33
• March 7, 2001 at 6:45 a.m. Pedestrian bridge, 400 Block Avenue 33
• March 7, 2001 at 7:00 a.m. Pedestrian bridge, Avenue 33 and Artesian Street

Composite drawing of the suspect will be available during the press conference.

Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Gregory Stone, Robbery-Homicide Division, Rape Special Section, at 213-763-5061.

This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.