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Suspect Sought In Violent Sex Assault Of South El Monte Jogger

SOUTH EL MONTE (CBSLA.com) – Police are searching for a man who sexually assaulted a woman while she was jogging on a trail in South El Monte last month.

Suspect Wanted In Violent Sex Assault Of South El Monte Jogger
A crime bulletin for a man wanted in a sexual assault that occurred on June 1, 2017, in the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in South El Monte, Calif. (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department)

At about 5:30 p.m. on June 1, a woman was jogging in the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area -- near the 500 block of Durfee Avenue -- when she was suddenly attacked and sexually assaulted, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reports. Surveillance video captured footage of the suspect dragging the victim from the trail.

He took her down an embankment and into some brush, out of sight of the cameras, LASD said. A short time later, he was caught on surveillance video riding away on a black mountain bike.

"The suspect in this case was just preying on any victim that he could prey on," Sheriff's Lt. Todd Deeds said at a news conference Friday. "And again, she did a wonderful job fighting him off, she was very brave, she was very smart."

A sketch and surveillance photo of the suspect has been released. The suspect was described as a Hispanic man, in his 20s, 5-foot-9 and about 175 pounds. He was clean shaven and wore a black hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information should call 877-710-LASD, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

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