Sexual Battery Suspect Arrested

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department officers arrested 21-year-old Jose Sarmiento, who had been involved in a rash of sexual assaults, on Monday, July 21, 2008.
 
The crimes occurred from August 2007 to April 2008.  Sarmiento was known to walk or ride a bicycle in the area of West Los Angeles and grab adult female’s buttocks and breasts as they walked on the sidewalks in their neighborhoods.  Most of the crimes were committed during the day in the residential area of Santa Monica Boulevard and Barrington Avenue.  

At this time, there are 15 victims where the  Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office filed ten counts of sexual battery, two counts of battery, one count of indecent exposure, and one count of peeping.  Sarmiento is currently being held without bail.  

Investigators believe there may be additional victims or witnesses and are asking for anyone with information to call Officer Justin Malcuit or Officer Tim Shumaker of the Operations West Bureau Sexual Assault Detail at 213-473-0404.  After hours and on weekends, please call the 24-hour Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

The photos of the suspect is available through Media Relations Section.