Police: Fairfield Sexual Assault Suspect Could Have Telltale Marks Of Struggle
FAIRFIELD (CBS13) - Women are running scared in Fairfield and a predator is on the prowl, linked to four sexual batteries in the past month.
Police say in each case, the guy's motive is the same.
The attacks happened on August 2-3, and the latest, was just last night. Investigators say he targeted young women near Westamerica Drive, Northwood Drive, Oakbrook Drive, and the Lopes Road areas of Fairfield.
Police are releasing details that may help to catch their criminal.
These attacks didn't happen in dark lonely alleys, but near busy roads sometimes in the middle of the day, say police. That's what scares women like Kelley Hestmark, who was out riding the trails not far from where a woman was sexually assaulted Wednesday.
"Especially that he does it during the day, because you think if you go during the day you are going to be fine," said Hestmark.
Police released a composite sketch of the man.
The latest attack happened just after 8 p.m. Wednesday as a 17-year-old girl was jogging near Westamerica and Sandstone.
"In this last incident, the victim defended herself. During that process it's possible this individual received a scratch or scratches on the hands arm or facial area," said Fairfield Police Dept. Lt. Stephen Crane.
The other three incidents happened in Cordelia in early August. Police say the suspect has targeted his victims the same way: getting them to stop by asking for directions.
All of the women are young. In each case, they were alone and often exercising.
"It makes me mad; it's creepy; it's gross and it's disgusting," said Lauren Eastin.
Lauren was walking with her sister Thursday evening and hadn't heard about the guy groping women. But her sister says she always walks with someone and has mace in her hand.
"I mean, you never know what's going to happen," she said.
Lauren says she hopes police catch the creep soon because next time he could end up putting his hands on the wrong woman.
"He's gonna do it until he does it to the wrong person, and he'll get caught. If it's me, I'll mace him -- kick him where it hurts," she said.
Police declined to comment when asked whether or not the most recent victim was able to get any of the suspects's DNA when she scratched him.
Police have stepped up patrols in the area in response to the assaults.