Police Release Sketches of Sexual Assault Suspects NR11354pv

Los Angeles:  Detectives are asking the public’s help in identifying these two men, wanted in an early morning sexual assault of a woman walking to work in the Fashion District on July 16, 2011.

The 18-year-old woman noticed the man with the long hair walk by her as she walked under the California Mart bridge near Olympic Boulevard and Main Street.  The man turned back and placed the woman in a bear hug, dragging her, kicking and screaming, to a driveway entrance nearby.

The victim noticed a second man, with shorter hair, standing nearby, watching the first suspect violate the victim.  This man is wanted as an accessory to the crime for acting as a lookout.  This second suspect had a prominent tattoo that covered most of his right cheek, but the victim could not make out what the tattoo depicted.

The victim continued to fight the long-haired suspect as he held her face down on the ground, arms behind her back.  Eventually, she was able to pull loose from his one-handed grip.  The woman punched the suspect, who ran away with his accomplice.

“Our top suspect here is the man with the long hair, whose appearance is quite feminine,” Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of detectives explained.  “But we think we will have a better chance of finding the accomplice with the cheek tattoo first.  He can lead us to the long-haired suspect.”

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Det. Joshua Riggs at 213-972-1235.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.