New video released of sexual predator wanted for attacking two women

ECHO PARK, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - New surveillance video released is prompting the LAPD to seek additional public help in finding a man described by police as a sexual predator, who attacked two women in their apartments in the East Hollywood and Echo Park areas.

The first crime occurred about 12:20 p.m. Monday in an apartment complex in the 800 block of North Mariposa Street in East Hollywood, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. "The suspect entered the victim's apartment front door that she left unlocked while she walked over to the apartment's laundry room,'' a police
statement said.

"The victim returned around five minutes later, and when she opened the door she observed the suspect standing behind the door,'' police said. "The suspect approached victim, covered her mouth with one of his hands and pushed her against a wall causing her to fall to the floor.''

The woman screamed, and the suspect ran off.

The second crime occurred about 90 minutes later, when the suspect entered an apartment complex in the 1600 block of Cortez Street in the Echo Park area, police said. "The suspect entered the victim's apartment front door that was left unlocked while the victim was inside her residence,'' police said.

"The victim heard her front door open and heard her dogs barking aggressively,'' police said. "The victim exited her room and walked toward her living room and observed the suspect inside her apartment.''

The man approached the woman, put his hand inside her blouse, and began to fondle her breasts, police said.

"When the victim attempted to pull away the suspect pinned the victim against the couch,'' police said. ``The victim's dogs intervened and attempted to bite the suspect's leg causing (him) to lift his leg off the ground. The victim used that opportunity to push the suspect away and out of the apartment.''

Surveillance video revealed that it was the same suspect in both incidents, police said.

The man was described as black, 25-30 years of age, about 6 feet tall, and weighing about 170-190 pounds. He had black hair, and was wearing an olive green shirt with a picture of the Virgin Mary on it, blue jeans and white
shoes.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to call Rampart Station detectives at (213) 484-3487 or (213) 484-3486; or (877) LAPD-247.

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