Public’s Aid Sought in Inquiry Into Rape at Mall

Police are asking for the public’s help in finding the man who raped a 22-year-old woman in the underground parking garage of the Crystal Court shopping center this week.

The woman was forced into her car and attacked at 8:30 p.m. Monday, said Costa Mesa Police Lt. Ron Smith.

The rapist was described as white, in his 30s, about 5 feet 10 and 160 pounds with short, straight, blond hair, Smith said. He was wearing dark-frame sunglasses, a white T-shirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes.

There were no other witnesses and mall security cameras did not capture the attacker’s image, Smith said.

The woman’s car was in the west parking garage, about 75 yards from the main entrance, the halfway point between the mall’s two anchor department stores, Macy’s and Robinsons-May. The garage was nearly empty during the attack, which occurred about 30 minutes before closing time, Smith said.

The victim drove home before reporting the attack, and a police search of the surrounding shopping district and residential area was not successful, Smith said.

A mall spokeswoman said the incident was alarming and tragic for employees and patrons.

“We’re dealing with it as best we can,” marketing director Jennifer Gordon said. “We’re working with the police to ascertain all the details of the situation.”

It was the first assault at the 10 1/2-year-old mall, where security includes interior and exterior surveillance cameras, security workers and a contingent of local police officers who patrol the Crystal Court and adjacent retail centers.

Employees at the 60-store mall at 3333 Bear St. also are routinely offered safety seminars and training, and guards are available to walk workers to their cars if they ask, Gordon said.

None of the composite sketches of the suspect prepared by police will be posted in the mall, Gordon said. Security staffers will be briefed on the situation, she said.

The Crystal Court is next to the larger South Coast Plaza and to South Coast Plaza Village.

Anyone with information about the incident or suspect is asked to call Costa Mesa investigators at (714) 754-5361.