Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

LAPD Release Sketch Of Suspect Wanted In Three Debs Park Incidents Targeting Women

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.


The LAPD has released the composite sketch of a suspected wanted in three separate incidents targeting women this year in Ernest E. Debs Park, and is asking for the public's help in tracking down the man.In each incident, the victims were all women walking alone in the Montecito Heights park. On January 13th, a woman was groped by the suspect as he rode a bike. On June 25th, the suspect exposed his genitals after approaching a woman and asked to borrow her cell phone. The most recent and violent incident happened on July 20th, when a woman who was walking her dog was punched in the face and thrown to the ground by a knife-wielding man, according to the Eastsider.

The suspect is described in a press release by the LAPD as a Hispanic male between 20-25 years old. He stands about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches and weighs between 140 and 160 pounds, with a light complexion and dark short hair. One of the victims said he spoke Spanish. He does not seem to be homeless.

Anybody with information is being asked to call detectives in the Hollenbeck Division at (323) 342-4110. Anybody calling during non-business hours or weekends should dial 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today