‘If you are attacked, fight back’: Authorities issue warning after series of sexual assaults in Maywood
Sheriff’s detectives are searching for a man they say broke into homes in Maywood and assaulted at least two women and a 13-year-old girl.
The attacks, which occurred over two weeks in October, have triggered fears among residents and prompted city officials to offer a $5,000 reward for the suspect’s arrest.
“There is a predator who is accosting a number of females in our community that must be stopped before he attacks another victim,” City Councilman Thomas Martin said in a statement.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department distributed fliers with a sketch of a man who they think is responsible for the attacks.
“If you ever find yourself with a burglar breaking into your home, stay calm and quiet but act quickly,” deputies have warned. “If you can safely escape, do so immediately. If you can’t, then hide and lock yourself in a room. Call 911 as quickly as possible and stay by the phone. If you are attacked, fight back.”
In each of the break-ins, the attacker snuck into home in the early morning hours by removing screens from unsecured windows, authorities said.
The first alleged assault occurred about 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 5 at a home in the 6100 block of King Avenue, where a woman was sitting in her living room. The man walked out of her bathroom and grabbed her breasts, the Sheriff’s Department said.
“As the unwanted sexual touching continued, the victim fought against the suspect, pushing him away and forcing him out of the house,” deputies said in a statement.
The next break-in occurred 13 days later, about a mile from the first.
Authorities said the suspect entered an apartment in the 4300 block of 53rd Street at about 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 18 as the residents slept. One of the residents woke up after a hearing a door open and saw a dark silhouette and light from a cellphone.
The resident yelled at the suspect, who jumped out a window and ran.
About an hour and a half later, the suspect entered a home in the 4100 block of 53rd Street as a woman slept in her bed. She reported that she felt someone touching an “intimate body part” and woke up to find the intruder inside her bedroom.
The woman got up and ran into another room, where she locked the door and called 911. Deputies searched for the suspect, but couldn’t find him.
The next day, the suspect returned to the neighborhood.
He entered a home in 3600 block of 53rd Street in Maywood through the kitchen window and walked into the 13-year-old girl’s room. The suspect covered the girl’s mouth but she awoke and was able to yell for help, deputies said.
The girl’s father heard the scream and confronted the suspect. He punched the man, but then fell to the floor and the suspect was able to escape through the front door, deputies said.
The suspect is described as 5 feet 2 to 5 feet 5 tall, 18 to 20 years old, with a very thin build. He wore dark clothing and did not appear to be armed during any of the break-ins.
Deputies have been patrolling the neighborhood in search of the suspect.
Mayor Ramon Medina warned residents to lock their doors and windows at night.
Anyone with details about the suspect is urged to call, the Sheriff’s Department’s East Los Angeles Station at (323) 264-4151, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.
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