CHP Searches For Man Posing As Officer Who Inappropriately Touched Woman
SANTA FE SPRINGS (CBSLA) — The California Highway Patrol is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a suspect who is posing as a law enforcement officer under the guise of sexually assaulting women.
Authorities said on Nov. 7 that a sexual assault incident occurred eastbound I-105 west of Lakewood Blvd at 2:30 p.m. During the incident, a male suspect presented himself as a law enforcement official, signaled a woman to stop and then inappropriately touched the woman during a bogus search.
The suspect is described as a Latino in his early 30s, about 5-foot-10, 180–200 pounds with a medium build. The man was wearing a dark, long-sleeve uniform-style shirt and tan pants. Affixed to the shirt were shoulder patches, a silver "star" type badge and a silver name tag. The suspect also had a black police type utility belt affixed with a pistol and other equipment.
The vehicle was described as a black sedan, possibly a Ford Crown Victoria. The vehicle was affixed with a red/blue emergency light mounted inside the windshield at the rear view mirror, a spotlight mounted at the left A-pillar, and tinted front and rear side windows.
CBS2's Rachel Kim spoke to female motorists who said they will stay vigilant.
"It's awful that someone would do that. I mean, we're just so defenseless out there," said Yolanda De La Cruz Medlock.
Many of the women she spoke to also said they're going to be a lot more cautious.
"Just to figure out if it's a true cop or not," said Karina Sanchez.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the California Highway Patrol at (323) 982-4900, attention Investigator DaSilva.