Gang Member Arrested In Connection With Rape In Lincoln Park Bathroom, LAPD Says

BOYLE HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — A 27-year-old gang member just 12 hours out of jail was arrested Tuesday in connection with the rape of a woman in a public restroom in a Lincoln Heights park.

The attack took place about noon Monday in Lincoln Park, south of Mission Road, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The 31-year-old victim was walking through the park when the suspect, identified as Edgar Lobos of Los Angeles, allegedly pulled a small-caliber handgun and forced the woman into a nearby restroom, Capt. William Hayes, commanding officer of the LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division, said at an afternoon news conference.

With information provided by the victim and witnesses in the area, Lobos was identified as the suspect by 10 p.m. Monday and he was picked up about 6:30 a.m. today in the Rampart Division's patrol area, which includes the Westlake District, Hayes said.

Lobos, who has "a rather lengthy criminal history" of vandalism, possession of controlled substances and domestic violence, is a known gang member with distinctive facial tattoos that aided in his identification, the captain said.

He did not know the victim.

At the time of his arrest on suspicion of kidnapping for the purpose of rape, he was allegedly in possession of a handgun investigators believe was the one used during the crime, Hayes said.

Lobos, who was being held in lieu of $1 million bail, had been released from jail about 12 hours before the attack, according to Hayes.

He had been incarcerated for a narcotics-related parole violation, Hayes said.

The incident has been concerning for neighbors.

"I'm going to start bringing my mother," said one park-goer.

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