Police In Chatsworth Hold Emergency Meeting With Residents To Discuss Recent Sexual Assault
CHATWORTH (CBSLA.com) — Police in Chatsworth on Thursday evening held an emergency meeting with residents to assuage their fears after a sexual assault last week.
"We are actively searching for the suspect," said Capt. Robert Marino from LAPD's Devonshire Division.
KCAL9's Rachel Kim reports Marino and other officers addressed questions and concerns about the sexual assault that shook up many in the community.
"To have something like this happen so close to my house was upsetting and frightening," said Lisa Roehrig.
"I have a daughter in high school that walks and takes the bus; it's a concern," said Tina Ponce.
Police say about 8:30 p.m. Friday, a woman who was taking a walk in the 10000 block of Cozycroft Avenue near Mayall Street was knocked to the ground and sexually assaulted in a dark corner just off the sidewalk.
Some residents are shocked by the suspect's boldness and by the fact it happened in their quiet community.
"I'm normally a morning walker; now I'm not. Now I go to the Y, and I walk on the treadmill. It changed the way I live my life," said Roehrig.
Tonight, the LAPD told the crowd while they can't provide details that would compromise their investigation, they reassured residents that they're using all available resources to follow up on leads.
"We're using all our capabilities, forensics, electronics to assist us in solving this crime," Marino said.
Meantime, residents are taking precautions.
"My daughter carries mace with her, we talk about safety all the time, street safety and stuff like that," said Ponce.
Investigators say they don't have a good description of the suspect.
Devonshire detectives are asking anyone who may have noticed someone or something out of of the ordinary in the neighborhood that night to give them a call.
