Sexual Battery Suspect Sought by LAPD NR09429ne

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department detectives are searching for a man in connection with a series of sexual batteries and attempted kidnappings that have occurred in the Echo Park area.

In recent separate incidents, an unidentified man grabbed three young girls from behind and groped them.  Two of the incidents involved lone females walking to a school near the pedestrian walkway that spans the 101 Freeway at Belmont Street.  The third incident involved a 12-year-old girl who was walking with her mother near the 101 Freeway overpass on Bonnie Brae Street.

The detectives believe that the suspect frequently loiters in the area of Belmont and Bellevue Street called “The View” which is a small stretch of Belmont Street that overlooks Echo Park.

The suspect is described as a dark-complected Hispanic man, 18-30 years of age, short black hair with a mustache.  He has acne and pockmarks on his face.  He stands between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs between 140 and 160 pounds.

A community alert with a composite of the suspect is available through Media Relations Section.
Click here for composite in English  /  Spanish

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Rampart Division detectives at 213-484-3624 during regular business hours.  During off-hours, 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.