Sexual Assault Suspect Lures Young Girls to Apartment Buildings Suspect Footage Captured on Surveillance Video NR09358rf

Los Angeles:  For over a year, a suspect operating in central Los Angeles has been periodically approaching young girls and trying to entice them into apartment buildings where he attempts to sexually assault them.

The most recent event occurred on July 10 of this year at around 7 a.m. when a 10-year-old girl was walking in the area of 3rd and Hoover Streets.  The suspect approached her and drew her into an apartment building in the 300 block of South Hoover Street where he took her to the roof.  However, something apparently startled him, so he suddenly departed and left the victim behind.

Images of the suspect were captured on the 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.  Investigation of the incident connected the suspect to two other similar events 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 35-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 children to walk and stay in groups.

** Map of the crimes**

**Surveillance footage of suspect is available at www.lapdtv.org or in the “news room” of the LAPD website at www.lapdonline.org **
Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect or witnesses to the crime.  Anyone with information should contact the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division, Special Assaults Section 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 begin the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website: www.lapdonline.org.  All tips may remain anonymous.