15-Year-Old Attacked by Violent Sexual Predator

**UPDATE**
The City of Los Angeles is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identity, arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the attempted sexual assault at the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Campus. 

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a violent sexual predator who attacked a young girl.

On March 19, 2009, at around 5:55 p.m., the victim was waiting for a ride to her home, on the campus of the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, when she was viciously attacked.  The suspect grabbed the victim from behind and dragged her into nearby bushes where he brutally beat, kicked, and attempted to sexually assault the girl.  She fought back and was successful in warding off her attacker.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man, 18-20 years of age, 5’8"-5’11" tall, with a shaved head (with hair that was beginning to grow out).

After the attack, the suspect ran from the scene.  Witnesses told investigators they were in the area and saw a person closely matching the suspect’s description running away from the scene.  He got into a 2005-2008 silver, 4 door, Volkswagon vehicle and drove away.

Video surveillance is available to view at www.lapdtv.org

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Robbery Homicide Division, Special Assault Section, Detectives Sharlene Johnson or Jesse Alvarado at 213-485-2921. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapdonline.org.  All tips are anonymous.