Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested by Foothill Gang Officers NR12290an

Los Angeles:   A vehicle driving in an erratic manner attracts the attention of LAPD Foothill Gang Officers ultimately resulting in the arrest of sexual assault suspect.

On June 21, 2012, at 11:00 p.m., Foothill Gang officers were in the area of Van Nuys Blvd and Glenoaks Blvd when they observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed.  The vehicle crashed into a wall and a pole moments later at Van Nuys and Defoe Street.  The officers responded immediately and detained the driver, 29-year-old Sergio Serrano of Sylmar.

A short time after Serrano crashed his vehicle, the officers heard a crime broadcast describing the suspect and vehicle of a sexual assault that had just occurred.  The description given in the crime broadcast matched that of Serrano and the vehicle he was driving.  Serrano was detained and ultimately arrested for sexual assault.

The investigation revealed that approximately two hours earlier, Serrano kidnapped a 40-year-old female at knifepoint from a supermarket parking lot in the area of San Fernando and Sunburst Street in Pacoima.  Serrano forced the victim into her own vehicle, and then drove to a nearby parking lot where he sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to escape from Serrano and ran for help.  Serrano then fled in the victim’s vehicle and was ultimately captured by officers when he crashed the victim’s vehicle a few miles away.

Foothill investigators are working to confirm whether of not Serrano may be responsible for two separate assaults that occurred this past weekend.

On June 15th around 11:55 p.m., a 24-year-old victim was walking in the area of San Fernando Road and Van Nuys Blvd, when she was attacked at knifepoint, taken to an area adjacent to the nearby railroad tracks, and then sexually assaulted.

On June 16th, around 4:00 a.m, a 14-year old victim was walking near the 9900 block of San Fernando Road when a suspect initiated a conversation with her.  The suspect then threatened to strike the victim in the head with a large rock which he held in his hand.  The suspect pulled the victim to a nearby alley where she was sexually assaulted.

Foothill Detective personnel were actively working on several leads in these cases and believe that Sergio Serrano is the person responsible for these attacks.

Serrano was arrested and booked for one count of Kidnap/Rape and is being held on a $1,000,000 bail.  The case for which he is under arrest will be presented to the Office of the District Attorney for filing consideration on Monday, June 25th.  If it is confirmed that Serrano is responsible for the earlier attacks, these cases will also be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for additional charges against.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact Detective Al Munoz or Lieutenant Kris Kenney, Foothill Detectives at 818-834-3115. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (584-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.