Police Release Sketch of Suspect in Rape

Los Angeles police on Monday released a composite sketch of a man suspected in the kidnap and rape of a 14-year-old Monroe High School student last week while investigating possible links to similar attacks or attempted assaults in the northeast San Fernando Valley.

“Right now we’re looking at similar cases in the city,” Det. Jesse Alvarado said. “But we’re not saying it is or is not related.... Comparing cases is part of our protocol.”

Detectives declined to provide further details about other attacks in the area that might be related to last week’s rape.

The victim in Friday’s assault was walking to school between 6:30 and 7 a.m. in the 9000 block of Willis Avenue when the suspect pulled up in a mid-1990s white Honda Accord and offered to give her a lift, police said.

When the girl refused, the man drove farther up the block. After parking his car, he again approached the victim, simulated pointing a gun and forced her into the car. He then drove her to an alley about two blocks away where he assaulted her, police said.

Investigators described the suspect as an Asian man in his early 20s, 5 foot 3, weighing 120 pounds with brown eyes, black hair and pock-marked skin. He was wearing a white hooded sweater, black or gray shorts and white shoes.

Teachers at Monroe High School on Monday distributed 5,000 fliers with safety tips for students walking to and from school. Students were told to walk with a friend or in a group on well-lighted streets.

“It’s the worst,” Principal Greg Vallone said of the attack. “To hear something like this happen to any of our students, you take it personal. It’s critical it doesn’t happen to any of our other students.”

Vallone said he had yet to receive a call from school police or the LAPD as of Monday morning about the incident. He said he learned of the assault from the newspaper.

“I didn’t even know what had gone down,” he said. “It’s always helpful to communicate. Cooperation among agencies is how we solve problems.”

He said even the district’s media office was unaware of the incident. Ellen Morgan, a spokeswoman for the district, said school police would normally inform her office of such a case.