Sexual Assault Suspect Lures Young Girls to Apartment Buildings NR09533cj

Los Angeles:  For over one year, a suspect operating in the mid-city area of Los Angeles has been periodically approaching young girls, enticing them into apartment buildings, and sexually assaulting them.

On November 4, 2009, at about 7:20 a.m. A 10-year old girl was walking to school near Beverly Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue when she was approached by a man who engaged her in friendly conversation.  The man lured her into an apartment complex in the 100 block of South Commonwealth Avenue.  He gained access to the building by waiting for someone to exit the rear stairwell.  When someone exited, he pretended that he had forgotten his key and walked in with the girl.  The man guided the girl up the stairwell to the roof area where he attempted to sexually assault her.  The girl begged the suspect to stop his advances and repeatedly pushed him away.  It is believed that the victim’s persistent actions caused the suspect to stop and leave the location.

Images of the suspect on November 4, 2009, were captured on an apartment complex video surveillance system.  The video shows the suspect walking with the victim and then later running alone northbound on Commonwealth Avenue.

On July 10, 2009 at around 7 a.m. a 10-year-old girl was walking in the area of 3rd and Hoover Streets.  The suspect approached her and somehow enticed her into an apartment building in the 300 block of South Hoover Street where he took her to the roof.  Again, something apparently startled him, so he suddenly departed and left the victim behind.

Images of the suspect on July 10, 2009, were captured on an apartment complex’s video surveillance system showing him walking and conversing with the victim as they approached the building.  Later, he is also shown running out of the building.  The investigation connected two similar crimes that occurred last year.

On April 30, 2008, at around 7:30 a.m., an 8-year-old girl was walking in the 600 block of South Burlington Avenue in Los Angeles when the suspect approached her and led her into an adjacent apartment building where he attempted to sexually assault her in a secluded area of the property.  Again images of the suspect were captured by a nearby video camera showing the suspect walking and conversing with the victim as they approached the apartment complex.

On February 29, 2008, at about 7 a.m., a 9-year-old girl was walking in the area of James M. Wood Boulevard and Hoover Street in Los Angeles when the suspect approached her on foot, conversed with her and eventually pulled her into an apartment building in the 2700 block of James M. Wood Boulevard.  He then attempted to sexually assault her.

The suspect is described as a 25- to 45-year-old male Hispanic with black hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighing between 150 and 170 pounds.

Parents are reminded to discuss safety issues with their children, especially in reference to not talking with people they don’t know.  Parents are also encouraged to accompany their children to school or arrange for them to walk in groups.  Community members are reminded to use caution when allowing persons in their apartment building that they do not recognize or that do not have keys, especially males being accompanied by elementary aged children.

Detectives are asking for the public’s help.  Anyone with information about the suspect, additional victims, or witnesses are asked to contact the Robbery-Homicide Division, Special Assaults Section at 213-485-2921.  After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on “Web Tips.”  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.