North Hollywood Detectives Arrest Sexual Assault Suspect and are Looking for More Victims NR10575AP

Los Angeles:  On March 11, 2010, at about 12:45 a.m., an unidentified suspect followed a
37-year-old female along Lankershim Boulevard.  The suspect caught up with her in the 6900 block of Lankershim Boulevard when he pulled her by the arm to a nearby parking lot.  The suspect ordered her to undress then sexually assaulted her.  The suspect then left the area and was last seen around Lankershim Boulevard and Hart Street.  

On December 7, 2010, LAPD North Hollywood Sex Detectives arrested Louis Mercado, a 19-year-old resident of North Hollywood, for this abduction and sexual assault by force.  On December 8, 2010, the Los Angeles County District Attorney Office filed (1) count of Kidnap for Rape, (1) count of Rape in Concert with Force and (1) count of Rape against Mercado.  He is being held on $1,600,000.00 bail at the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Jail Section.  

Detectives believe Mercado may have been involved in similar crimes with other victims throughout the North Hollywood Area, specifically the Lankershim Boulevard Corridor.  Detectives are searching for additional victims and urge anyone that has been a victim of Mercado or who has information about this crime to come forward.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or similar crimes is asked to contact Los Angeles Police Department North Hollywood Sexual Assault Detectives Murachver or Zavala at 818-623-4090.  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 LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.