El Monte Police release sketch of man who posed as cop and assaulted woman

EL MONTE, Calif. (FOX11) - Authorities have released a composite sketch of a man who impersonated a police officer and sexually assaulted a woman in El Monte.

The suspect, who was driving a brown or green police-style Ford Crown Victoria, initiated a traffic stop on the woman's vehicle using his car's siren and emergency lights around 7 p.m. July 2 near Durfee and Magnolia avenues, said El Monte police Cpl. Art Saenz.

Police say the man's car also was equipped with red and blue police lights on the dashboard, a P.A. system, and front spotlights on both sides of the vehicle.

"He asked her for her driver's license and registration and had the victim exit her vehicle,'' the corporal said. "While outside of the vehicle, the suspect sexually assaulted the victim and then released her.''

Saenz said the suspect drove off, and the unnamed victim later reported the crime to police.

The man was described as Hispanic, 30-40 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall and 170 pounds, with a muscular build. He had black slicked-back hair, a goatee and brown eyes, and was wearing a black short-sleeve uniform shirt with unknown patches on the sleeves and dark pants, according to police.

The suspect had three teardrop tattoos underneath his right eye, an 8-ball tattoo on the left side of his neck, and a Nazi/white power "Triskele'' tattoo on the top of his right hand, Saenz said. He also had a burn mark on his right thumb extending to his wrist.

Anyone with information is urged to call the El Monte Police Department at 626-580-2172. Tips may also be submitted by email at tips@empd.org.

CNS contributed to this report