Police Hoping Sketch Aids in Finding Rapist

Police have released a sketch of a man believed to be responsible for as many as 22 rapes and attempted rapes of mostly older women in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

The latest attack, on April 22, involved a 71-year-old Anaheim woman who was raped by an intruder who came in through the window of her mobile home as she slept.

Detectives from the Anaheim and Fullerton police departments have joined forces to investigate the incidents.

The assailant is described as between 5 feet, 7 inches and 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 150 to 170 pounds. The assailant, who at one time wore a mustache, has medium skin color and a short Afro hair style.

Fullerton Police Sgt. Wade Richmond said the description of the man was provided by a victim who initially had difficulty describing her assailant.

“One of the victims who suffered a considerable amount of shock after the incident was now able to give us a description of the suspect,” Richmond said.

The man being sought is believed to have been involved in 22 separate incidents in the last 10 months in Anaheim, Fullerton, Santa Ana and Claremont.

Since Dec. 12, a dozen such crimes against older women have occurred in Anaheim alone, Police Lt. Bill L. Wright said.

“We have here in Anaheim 12 incidents where there’s a strong possibility that the same person is responsible for them,” Wright said.

Anyone with information may contact Fullerton Detective Gerry Teplansky at (714) 738-6786 or Anaheim Detectives Jack R. Jessen and Joe Reiss at (714) 999-1962.