Hate Crime Suspect Targeting Women NR18283rh

Update
November 9,
2018

On November 7, 2018, around 9 p.m., North Hollywood
detectives arrested Steven Szwet’s on three counts of Battery. The
case is under review by the City Attorney’s office for a possible
hate crime enhancement.

Detectives Seek the Public’s Assistance in Identifying a Hate Crime
Suspect Targeting Women in North Hollywood’s Orthodox Jewish
Community
North Hollywood: The Los
Angeles Police Department’s North Hollywood Division Detectives are
seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a battery suspect
targeting women in North Hollywood’s Orthodox Jewish
community.

On September 19, 2018 (Yom Kippur Holiday), in the afternoon, an
80-year-old female victim was walking on Bellaire Avenue from
Burbank Boulevard. She noticed she was being followed by a 25 to
30-year-old male Caucasian suspect. When she reached Chandler
Boulevard, the suspect approached her, grabbed the wig off her
head, smiled and handed it back to her. The suspect never said
anything and then calmly walked away.

Later that day, a 36-year-old female victim was walking on Chandler
Boulevard at Bellaire Avenue. She was approached from behind by the
same suspect who attempted to pull the wig off her head.

On November 6, 2018, in the afternoon, a 58-year-old female victim
was loading music equipment into her vehicle located in the area of
Laurel Canyon and Burbank Boulevard. The same suspect from the
prior two incidents approached her and pulled the wig off her head.
He then stated to the victim, “Oh, I’m sorry” in a sarcastic manner
and threw the wig on the ground. The suspect then walked
away.

All three female victims are part of the Orthodox Jewish community
residing in the area where the crimes occurred. The suspect appears
to have battered the women and targeted their wigs because of their
religious beliefs. Orthodox Jewish women often wear wigs, scarfs,
or hats to cover their hair as a symbol of modesty.

Picture
Of Suspect

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact LAPD
North Hollywood Division Crimes Against Persons Detective Dan
Fournier at (818) 754-8451. During non-business hours or on
weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7
(1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call
the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477)
or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit
www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the
“Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly,
tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and
select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.