Man Promises Modeling Careers to Young Girls Then Tries to Sexually Assault Them NR11565SF

Los Angeles: Detectives hope to identify other possible victims of a sexual predator who lured at least one young girl into his car in the area of Venice.

On November 29, 2011, around 3:35 p.m., a teenage girl was standing outside of a school in the 600 block of 5th Avenue in the Venice area when a man drove up in a silver, two-door 2002 Mercedes Benz CL 55, with paper plates.  The 33-year-old man later identified as Shota Mgeladze a resident of Los Angeles used a ruse to get the victim into his car.  Once she sat inside the Mercedes Benz, the suspect began to drive and told her she was beautiful and that he could make her a model.  Suspect Mgeladze asked the victim if he could take nude photographs of her and abruptly pulled over to the curb to park the car.  Mgeladze then reached over and grabbed the victim’s left leg and pulled her leg towards him. The victim kicked the suspect in the face and shoulder area, got out of the car and ran away.

Later that same day, at 6:45 p.m.,  officers from Pacific Area arrested suspect Shota Mgeladze, a White man with brown hair and brown eyes who stands 6’5” tall and weighs 210 pounds, for 209(B)(1)PC crime Kidnapping for Sexual Motive.   
 
The investigating detectives commend the young girl for her strength and bravery and would like to eliminate the possibilities of other sexual assault victims who may have had contact with Mgeladze.  Anyone with information regarding the above crime or other similar crimes is encouraged to contact Detective Kim Porter, Operations-West Bureau, Sexual Assault Detail at 213-473-0447.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.