Man Wanted In Santa Monica Elevator Assault

SANTA MONICA (CBS) — Police are asking for the public's help in finding a man who assaulted a woman in an elevator.

The assault happened around 9 a.m. on July 11 at 429 Santa Monica Boulevard, Sgt. Richard Lewis of the Santa Monica Police Department said.

The woman arrived for work and parked her car in the building's underground parking garage, he said.

"The victim entered the building's elevator at which time the suspect emerged from an unknown location and entered the elevator," Lewis said.

Once the elevator doors closed, the suspect assaulted the woman.

He made a "statement, which led the victim to believe she was going to be sexually assaulted," Lewis said.

The victim fought back and when the elevator stopped, the suspect fled, according to authorities.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic or Middle Eastern man in his late 20s, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds. He has short black hair, brown eyes, a light goatee and several tattoos on his arms, Lewis said.

At the time of the assault, he was wearing a black or dark gray tank top and orange or red board shorts.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at (310)458-8495.