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Girl, 10, Sexually Assaulted In Palmdale Denny's Bathroom

PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Monday were looking for a man suspected of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in an Antelope Valley eatery's restroom.

The assault happened on New Year's Day in the women's bathroom of a Denny's restaurant in the 37000 block of 47th Street East in Palmdale, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

"She went to the restroom, used the restroom and when she exited the bathroom stall, she was assaulted by a male who had entered the women's restroom," Sgt. Brian Hudson said. "He grabbed a hold of her, basically restrained her and sexually assaulted her."

The attacker escaped when someone else entered the bathroom.

"At that point, the male fled the restroom, and fled the restaurant through a parking lot," Hudson said.

Officers said the Denny's manager chased the suspect through the parking lot, but he managed to get away.

KCAL9's Tom Wait reports the suspect apparently put some thought into the incident.

"According to the staff at the restaurant, he walked in the restaurant and immediately asked where the restroom was and proceeded immediately to the restroom," Hudson said.

The man was described as Caucasian, 18 to 20 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 150 pounds. He has blonde hair, walks with a noticeable limp and is a transient.

"What he did was a very brazen and bold act and we consider him a dangerous person to have on the streets," Hudson said.

Anyone with information should contact the LASD's Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273.

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