Man Convicted of Series of Sex Assaults

A 22-year-old Van Nuys man has been convicted of a series of sexual assaults on six San Fernando Valley women during the late spring and summer of 1995.

Pedro Cornejo Romero, who officials said is a Mexican citizen living illegally in Van Nuys, was convicted Monday in Van Nuys Superior Court on one count of rape and two counts of sexual battery as well as four counts of attempted rape and four counts of assault with intent to rape.

Romero, who has no prior felony convictions, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 5.

According to Deputy Dist. Atty. Dennette Meyers, five of the six women that Romero attacked were from Van Nuys. The other is a North Hollywood resident.

“The majority of the attacks that Romero made were in broad daylight,” Meyers said. “Four of his victims were attacked on the street, while the other two women were attacked inside their homes.”

Meyers said that Romero did not know the women he assaulted and it appears that he chose his victims at random.

Romero was arrested Nov. 14, 1995, when one of his victims spotted him in the street and notified Los Angeles police. She later identified him in a lineup.

“We are happy and extremely fortunate that one of the women that he assaulted was brave and determined enough to make sure he paid for his crime,” Meyers said.