Man, 19, Is Arrested in Attacks on Valley Girls
A man suspected of sexually attacking at least seven girls in the San Fernando Valley, including two on school campuses, has been arrested.
Juan Rosales, 19, is being held on suspicion of multiple felonies, including lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14. The victims were between the ages of 9 and 17, Los Angeles Police Officer Jason Lee said.
“His MO was that he would approach his victims and attempt to befriend them,” Lee said. “Then, he would become aggressive and forcibly sexually assault them.”
The attacks occurred in the North Hollywood area fromJanuary to March, when Rosales was arrested. At least two occurred on Los Angeles Unified School District campuses, Lee said.
Lee said he did not know the circumstances of the arrest nor why it was not announced for two months.
Police plan to hold a news conference today to encourage any other possible victims to come forward. Police “want to assure them that their identities would remain confidential,” Lee said.
Rosales is being held on $1-million bail at the downtown Twin Towers jail.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
