Police Seek Help To Locate Sexual Assault, Robbery Suspect In Manhattan Beach
MANHATTAN BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Police Monday released a description of a man they believe sexually assaulted a woman at Manhattan Beach.
The sexual assault occurred around 12:15 a.m. Sunday on the sand located in the 3400 block of the waterline, according to the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
A preliminary investigation revealed a man and woman in their 40s were sitting on the sand when an unknown man approached them.
Police said the man pretended to have a handgun and forced the man to lay face down in the sand. He then sexually assaulted the woman, police said.
After the assault, police said, he stole property belonging to the victims and fled southbound on foot.
Officers conducted a search in the area; however, they were unable to locate the man.
Police later found the male victim's stolen cell phone in a neighborhood about a mile away.
Detectives describe the suspect as a Hispanic male, 5-foot-7 with thin build, a bald head and thin mustache.
He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt and blue jeans, detectives added.
Manhattan Beach Mayor Wayne Powell says police will be stepping up patrols.
"We have a number of plainclothes and uniformed officers who are going to be monitoring our beach. We haven't had anything like this in our city and we're hoping to never, ever have it again," Powell said.
The investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information on the assault is asked to contact Manhattan Beach police at (310) 802-5140.
