2nd Suspect Sought in Series of Eastside Rapes

Police sought the public’s help Wednesday in a search for the second of two men suspected in a series of rapes and robberies of women in Los Angeles’ Eastside neighborhoods.

Authorities reported 15 incidents from June 12 to Sept. 27 in Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles and Montebello. The victims were young to middle-aged women.

Last Thursday, police arrested Jonathan Mendoza, 19, of Los Angeles after one of the incidents, authorities said. Investigators said evidence connected Mendoza to the crimes but declined to be more specific.

“There’s a second suspect out there,” said Det. James Duran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. “We want people to be aware.”

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has charged Mendoza with 21 counts, including rape, kidnapping, robbery and terrorist threats, Duran said.

He is being held on $7-million bail.

Mendoza allegedly confronted women at night as they were getting out of their cars at home or elsewhere. He would force them back into their cars at gunpoint and make them drive to other locations, Duran said.

Police say the second man aided Mendoza in some of the attacks by driving a vehicle behind the victims’ cars.

The second man was the principal attacker in two of the incidents and committed one of the rapes, Duran said.

However, officials gave only a sketchy description of the second suspect--believed to be a Latino 20 to 25 years old, about 5-feet, 8-inches tall, weighing 220 pounds, with a shaved head.

Anyone with information is asked to call (323) 264-4151.