Teen Female Victim of a Kidnap and Attempted Sexual Assault NR14121gv

April 18, 2014

UPDATE

On March 27, 2014, 30-year-old suspect Robert Ransom was arrested in Los Angeles on a probation violation. Then on April 3, 2014, while he was still in custody, detectives filed charges in connection with the incident below.  He has been charged with multiple crimes, including attempted murder, rape, kidnapping and robbery.  He remains in custody without bail.  Also, arrested on robbery charges in Los Angeles on April 10, 2014, was 29-year-old Juliana Tobar, Ransom’s girlfriend. Her bail has been set at $50,000.  Both Ransom and Tobar are Los Angeles residents.

March 24, 2014

***UPDATE***

Today, detectives released the attached composite sketch of the kidnap/sexual assault suspect.

Los Angeles:   The Los Angeles Police Department Robbery Homicide Division, Sexual Assault Section detectives , are requesting the public’s help in identifying and locating the suspect  responsible for the kidnap and attempted sexual assault of a 16 year-old female in Newton Area.

On March 20, 2014, at approximately 1810 hours, a 16 year-old female was walking home from Freemont High School. As she was walking on Gage Avenue near San Pedro Street a male Black walked up to her and forced her into a white van at knife point.  The male drove the victim to another location where he attempted to sexually assault her. He then drove her to an alley in the area of Imperial Highway and New Hampshire Avenue where the victim was able run from the suspect and escaped.

The suspect is described as a male Black, black hair, brown eyes, stands 5’7” tall, weighs about 170 pounds, 20 to 33 years of age, with a dark complexion.

The suspect’s van is described as a white cargo van with two doors to the rear and on the passenger’s side.  The van had U-Haul and the numbers 19.95 posted on the rear of the van.  

Anyone with information concerning this crime are directed to contact LAPD at a 24-hour, toll-free number 877-LAPD-247 (877-527-3247).  Tips can be emailed to rhd-sas@lapd.lacity.org.  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 www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”