Police Ask For Public's Help Finding Suspect In Attempted Abductions Near Northeast Schools
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department Northeast Division are telling residents to be on the lookout for one or two suspects attempting to lure teenage girls into their car.
At least four attempted abductions were reported near schools in the Mount Washington/Elysian Park area and now police are releasing further details about the suspect, or suspects', descriptions.
Police sketches obtained by CBS2/KCAL9 News show one man wearing a cap covering dark hair, with a light mustache and goatee.
The other drawing shows a suspect who is bald and wearing a small earring in each ear and a chain around his neck.
Detectives say they are looking for a Hispanic man approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and estimated to be between 30 and 40 years of age.
A suspect was seen driving a light-colored 2007-2011 four-door Honda Accord, possibly with paper plates.
A second vehicle was described as a dark green 2007-2010 four-door Toyota Camry.
Four attempted abductions have been reported since October, two of which involve the same girl, police said.
Authorities are looking for two suspects who may be working together or one man with two different looks. Authorities say the suspects have the same M.O., attempting to lure teenage girls into their car.
The most recent incident occurred on April 12 near the Sonia Sotomayor Learning Academies.
The suspects also struck twice in one day, just feet away from a local elementary school and other education facilities.
In each case the suspect was verbally aggressive, targeting female students between the ages of 13 and 17 who are walking to and from school.
Police say each victim had a cell phone, refused to get in the car and ran off to get help.
Students in Cypress Park, Glassell Park, Elysian Park and Mount Washington are being advised not to walk to school alone.
Officials at Sotomayor have stepped up police patrols. Crime alert letters were sent home this week advising parents and students to be vigilant.
Anyone with more information on the case was urged to call Detective Mark Raichel at (213) 344-5741 or (877) LAPD-247.
