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

Police Release Sketch of Elysian Park Sexual Assault Suspect

elysian-park-suspect-sketch.jpg
Sketch courtesy LAPD

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.

A female hiker was the victim of a sexual assault on Halloween afternoon in Elysian Park, and the Los Angeles Police Department have released a sketch of the suspect, who may have tracked down his victim using Twitter.From the LAPD:

The victim was hiking by herself on a trail near Academy Drive and Stadium Way. As she was near the end of the trail, approximately 25 yards from her vehicle, the suspect came out of the bushes, near the trail and grabbed her from behind. The suspect placed one hand over her mouth and sexually assaulted her with the other hand. The victim struggled with the suspect and was able to free herself after which the suspect fled on foot into the park.

Twitter may factor in, however, because the victim posted to the social networking site shortly before her attack, and the suspect may have used the location information to find her. She also told police that she recognized the suspect from a previous visit to the park, but undercover officers haven't had any luck finding him.

The suspect is described as a male, Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes. He stands about 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet10 inches, weighs approximately 210 pounds and is in his early to mid 30s. He was wearing a white T-shirt and light blue basketball shorts, with white tennis shoes.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the attack is asked to contact the LAPD.

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