Sexual Assaults in Van Nuys Division

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, August 10, 2000

"Sexual Assault in Van Nuys Division"

Van Nuys – On Sunday, May 7, 2000, at 9:50 PM, an 18 year-old female Hispanic was walking home from work in the 8800 block of Van Nuys Boulevard when two male Hispanics approached her from behind, grabbed her and threatened her with a knife. The two males forced her into nearby bushes and one of the suspects sexually assaulted her.

There have been a series of crimes in the area over the past several months. In each case, the suspect approached a loan female Hispanic that was walking in the area. The suspect approached from behind, grabbed the victim, threatened her with a knife and pulled her into bushes or a secluded area. Robbery-Homicide Division, Rape Special Section is reviewing these cases to determine if they are related.

The suspects are described as two mail Hispanics, see composites below::

Suspect 1
Male, Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, 5′-5’2", 140-160 lbs.,
20-22 years old.

Suspect 2
Male, Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, 5’10’-5’11", 170-180 lbs.,
18-20 years old.

Anyone with information is requested to contact Detectives Brown or Cedeno, Robbery-Homicide Division, Rape Special Section, at 818-756-8309 or Detective Headquarters Division, off-hours, at 213-485-2504. For information in regard to this incident, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

This press release was prepared by Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section.

For Release 1:00 pm PDT
August 11, 2000