Police Arrest Suspect, but Warn Molester May Still Be at Large

A 45-year-old Encino man has been arrested as a possible suspect in attacks and attempted molestations involving as many as 32 children throughout the San Fernando Valley, but LAPD officials cautioned Saturday that the real culprit may still be at large.

Police arrested and booked Elliot Singletary, 45, Friday evening in connection with the series of incidents, LAPD Sgt. John Herkowitz said.

Singletary is one of at least four men police have arrested over the last three weeks as possible suspects, some of whom were later eliminated as suspects.

“He fits the composite, but it doesn’t mean he is the guy we’re looking for,” Herkowitz said of Singletary. The LAPD is scheduled to make an announcement Tuesday regarding the arrest.

Singletary has not been charged, but police have 48 hours after an arrest to determine whether they will ask the district attorney’s office to file charges. Saturdays and Sundays are not included in the 48-hour limit.

Beefed-up police patrols near San Fernando Valley schools--which were initiated a month ago after the rape of a 9-year-old girl--will continue Monday.

The attacks have included male and female victims, who have been black, white, Asian and Latino. At least 20 cases involved children who were on their way to or near Valley schools when they were approached.

The most serious attacks include the rape of a 9-year-old Fullbright Avenue Elementary School student on Nov. 3 and a July 30 incident in which a man approached a 5-year-old boy at a West Valley apartment complex and offered him money and candy in exchange for having him fondle his genitals, police said.

In many of the other cases, victims have been approached by a man who engages them in conversation and then grabs at their crotches, police said.