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South Gate Groping Suspect May Be Connected To String Of Assaults

 

SOUTH GATE (CBS) — Police Saturday said the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl at a South Gate elementary school may be connected to five similar incidents in the area.

South Gate police Sgt. Sergio Camacho said the most recent crime was reported about 3 p.m. Friday at Montara Avenue Elementary School.

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KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports.

The suspect, believed to be about 18 years old, tried to grope the girl who managed to fight him off. He reportedly rode away on a bicycle.

The suspect was described as thin with short dark hair and was seen wearing a black hat.

Similar sexual assaults have been reported on the west side of the 7.5-square mile city southeast of downtown Los Angeles, Camacho said.

"We're keeping the possibility open that it may be the same guy," Camacho said. "We're hoping that folks have seen the composite drawing and that if anyone has been victimized that they will come forward."

The other attacks occurred April 26 near Liberty Boulevard and Elizabeth Avenue; April 25 at Firestone and Long Beach boulevards; April 17 at Century Boulevard and Stanford Avenue; April 8 on Firestone Boulevard near Evergreen Avenue and on April 6 at Century Boulevard and State Street.

Anyone with more information is urged to call police at (323) 563-5457.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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