‘Teardrop Rapist’ Suspect Charged in 2 Attacks

A 21-year-old man suspected of being the “teardrop rapist” was charged Tuesday with child molestation, kidnapping and rape.

Prosecutors are recommending that Matthew Gonzales’ bail be set at over $3 million.

Gonzales, of Los Angeles, is charged with two counts of kidnap for rape, one count of child molestation of a victim under 14 and one count of rape by force.

The victims identified their alleged attacker by the teardrop tattoos under both eyes, authorities said.

On the morning of June 18, police said, a man matching Gonzales’ description abducted a 13-year-old girl in Hollywood and raped her in a carport behind an apartment building.

On July 22, an 18-year-old woman walking in Koreatown was forced behind a building and raped, authorities said.

Police said they served a search warrant at Gonzales’ Mid-City home on Friday evening and apprehended him after a short chase on foot.

The arrest followed an extensive investigation that included the release of a composite drawing of the suspect and the questioning of at least one other suspect.