2 Men Sought in Alhambra, Arcadia Rapes

Police are searching for two rapists who, in separate cases, have assaulted at least six women in Alhambra and Arcadia this year.

The latest attack occurred Monday when a man accosted two women as they approached their car in an Alhambra shopping center, then robbed, kidnaped and raped them. Police believe the same man robbed a pair of women on March 4 and raped one of them.

All three Alhambra victims are Asian women in their 20s, said Alhambra Police Lt. Rockey Caringello. All were forced at gunpoint to drive to local bank machines and withdraw money, he said.

Meanwhile, in Arcadia, police are searching for an assailant who has raped three women in the city.

Sunday morning, a 21-year-old Asian woman was accosted as she prepared to enter her home. Another woman was raped three weeks ago and a third in January.

All three were attacked in the early morning hours by a man of the same general physical description, wearing a black beanie cap, police said. The rapist threatened the three victims with a handgun, Arcadia Police Lt. Edward Ostashay said.

The most recent rape occurred about 2 a.m. Sunday; the victim was approached by the rapist as she was getting out of her car.

Three weeks earlier, police believe, the same man attacked a 33-year-old Latino woman.

The first Arcadia rape occurred Jan. 7; the victim was a 27-year-old white woman delivering newspapers about 4:45 a.m.

The Arcadia rapist is described as an African American male, age 25 to early 30s. He is described as 6 feet to 6 feet 6 inches tall and 175 to 200 pounds.

The attack Monday in Alhambra occurred about 7 p.m., police said. After raping both women, the man forced them to get in their car and drive. To attract attention, one of the women intentionally crashed into a Toyota near Commonwealth and Marguerita avenues.

When the rapist got out, the victims sped away, police said. The suspect also fled, and the Toyota driver left the scene. Police are urging the Toyota driver to contact them.

Police say the Alhambra suspect is Latino, about 25 years old, with short, wavy hair and a mustache.