Sexual Assault Suspect Lures Young Girls to Apartment Buildings NR09533cj

***UPDATE***
December 11, 2009

Detectives have received an outpouring of support to help solve
this case from local businesses and community members throughout
the city. This support has allowed detectives to recover
additional surveillance video footage that has provided significant
leads on the suspect’s actions leading up to the crime committed on
November 4, 2009.

The new footage shows the suspect exiting a blue or black 1995 to
1998 four-door Mazda Millenia with a sun or moon roof before
walking with the victim. He is later seen waiting for the victim
and then walking with her. The extended footage later shows the
suspect running away northbound on Commonwealth Avenue and
westbound on First Street before entering his vehicle. The suspect
drove away from the area eastbound on First Street.

Los Angeles City Councilman Ed Reyes has offered a $50,000 reward
for information leading to the arrest of this suspect, and a
private citizen has also offered an additional $25,000.

Anyone with information about the suspect, additional victims, or
witnesses are asked to contact the Robbery-Homicide Division,
Special Assaults Section at their new number 213-486-6910.
After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour,
toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also
text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and
click on “Web Tips.” When using a cell phone, all messages should
begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Surveillance footage of the suspect is available at www.lapdtv.org
or at www.lapdonline.org (click on newsroom”)

Sexual Assault Suspect Lures Young
Girls to Apartment Buildings

Los
Angeles: For over one year, a suspect operating in the
mid-city area of Los Angeles has been periodically approaching
young girls, enticing them into apartment buildings, and sexually
assaulting them.

On November 4, 2009, at about 7:20 a.m., a 10-year old girl was
walking to school near Beverly Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue
when she was approached by a man who engaged her in friendly
conversation. The man lured her into an apartment complex in the
100 block of South Commonwealth Avenue. He gained access to the
building by waiting for someone to exit the rear stairwell. When
someone exited, he pretended that he had forgotten his key and
walked in with the girl. The man guided the girl up the stairwell
to the roof area where he attempted to sexually assault her. The
girl begged the suspect to stop his advances and repeatedly pushed
him away. It is believed that the victim’s persistent actions
caused the suspect to stop and leave the location.

Images of the suspect on November 4, 2009, were captured on an
apartment complex video surveillance system. The video shows the
suspect walking with the victim and then later running alone
northbound on Commonwealth Avenue.

On July 10, 2009 at around 7 a.m. a 10-year-old girl was walking in
the area of 3rd and Hoover Streets. The suspect approached her and
somehow enticed her into an apartment building in the
300 block of South Hoover Street where he took her to the roof.
Again, something apparently startled him, so he suddenly departed
and left the victim behind.

Images of the suspect on July 10, 2009, were captured on an
apartment complex’s video surveillance system showing him walking
and conversing with the victim as they approached the building.
Later, he is also shown running out of the building. The
investigation connected two similar crimes that occurred last
year.

On April 30, 2008, at around 7:30 a.m., an 8-year-old girl was
walking in the 600 block of South Burlington Avenue in Los Angeles
when the suspect approached her and led her into an adjacent
apartment building where he attempted to sexually assault her in a
secluded area of the property. Again images of the suspect were
captured by a nearby video camera showing the suspect walking and
conversing with the victim as they approached the apartment
complex.

On February 29, 2008, at about 7 a.m., a 9-year-old girl was
walking in the area of James M. Wood Boulevard and Hoover Street in
Los Angeles when the suspect approached her on foot, conversed with
her and eventually pulled her into an apartment building in the
2700 block of James M. Wood Boulevard. He then attempted to
sexually assault her.

The suspect is described as a 25- to 45-year-old male Hispanic with
black hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall,
and weighing between 150 and 170 pounds.

Parents are reminded to discuss safety issues with their children,
especially in reference to not talking with people they don’t know.
Parents are also encouraged to accompany their children to school
or arrange for them to walk in groups. Community members are
reminded to use caution when allowing persons in their apartment
building that they do not recognize or that do not have keys,
especially males being accompanied by elementary aged
children.

** Composite sketches of the suspect are attached to this release
and are available through LAPD Media Relations Section**

Detectives are asking for the public’s help. Anyone with
information about the suspect, additional victims, or witnesses are
asked to contact the Robbery-Homicide Division, Special Assaults
Section at 213-486-6910 After-hours or on weekends, calls may be
directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7
(527-3247). Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or
log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on “Web Tips.” When using a
cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may
remain anonymous.