Covina Man Arrested In String Of Sexual Assaults Since 2012
COVINA (CBSLA.com) — An 18-year-old Covina man has been arrested for a string of sexual assaults spanning nearly the past year-and-a-half, authorities said.
Alexander Lorenzo Sandoval was taken into custody this week on charges of sexual battery and felony assault, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The attacks began in December 2012 when a 28-year-old woman was getting a laptop from her car at her apartment complex in the 21000 block of Arrow Highway.
"A man approached her from behind, covered her mouth with his hand, and rubbed against her body in a sexual manner. When the woman tried to escape, the man pushed her against her car, then onto the ground," detectives said in a statement.
The woman didn't see her attacker and was unable to identify him.
Similar attacks also occurred in January and February 2013.
On April 14, 2013, the suspect attacked a 30-year-old pregnant woman.
He "approached her from behind, pushed her into a wall and to the ground, and kicked her while she was on the ground," officials said.
A composite sketch was created based off information from these incidents and deputies took Sandoval into custody.
He denied involvement and witnesses were not able to identify him in a line up. He was subsequently released.
One year later, on April 11, 2014, a 47-year-old woman was walking near Nubia Street and Treanor Avenue in Covina when a man approached her from behind, covered her mouth, and groped her buttocks.
On June 20, 2014, the same woman saw the suspect following her as she walked in the 21100 block of Nubia Street and notified the Sheriff's Department.
Based on her description, Sandoval was arrested and positively ID'd.
"During subsequent interviews, Sandoval admitted to committing all of these acts, and wrote a letter of apology," officials said.
Charges were filed on June 24, including some cases in juvenile court since a few of the incidents occurred before the suspect's 18th birthday in October 2013.
He is being held without bail in the Los Angeles County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court in July.
