Suspect Arrested in Rapes, Robberies
A 26-year-old North Hills man with an extensive criminal record is the primary suspect in a series of robberies and rapes in beauty salons in the San Fernando Valley, authorities said Friday.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office filed 35 felony counts against Walter Antonio Cortez Friday, and bail was set at $4.5 million, said Los Angeles Police Lt. Anthony Alba.
“He is deemed to be extremely dangerous,” Alba said at a news conference at the LAPD’s Van Nuys station. “We want to put an end to his reign of terror in the Valley.”
Cortez allegedly robbed, and in at least five cases, sexually assaulted employees and customers in 28 Valley salons between March 18 and Aug. 22, said LAPD Robbery-Homicide Det. Gina Rubalcava, who is leading the investigation. In one incident, a victim was shot and wounded.
Cortez entered the shops during daylight hours and posed as a customer, Rubalcava said. He then brandished a handgun and demanded money and personal property.
Cortez was identified after a witness gave police the license plate number a 1983 blue Toyota hatchback leaving the scene after an attack, Rubalcava said.
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