Melrose Ave. Attempted Rape Suspect Arrested, Police Seek Other Possible Victims

After an attempted sexual assault on a young women this week, detectives quickly arrested a suspect and released his photo to the public, believing more teenaged women were victimized by the same man. It was just past 1 a.m. on Monday when a female, possibly a minor, was walking on Melrose Avenue near Alta Vista Boulevard. Police say Christopher Webb, 22, walked up, engaging her in conversation. He then allegedly pulled her into an alley where he attempted to rape her, but numerous calls to police prompted a swift response by police, whose lights and sirens spooked Webb.

Over the past year, a local neighborhood watch has aggressively trained residents in community policing. "Captain Davis reminds Melrose Action residents that community involvement and awareness are pivotal in fighting crime," reads a blog post from the group. "He also expressed THANK YOU to residents who do get involved and phone police when it matters. In this case it made the difference."