$100,000 Reward Offered For Serial Rapist Suspected In 35 Attacks Since 1996
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A $100,000 reward is now being offered to anyone who can help police catch a serial rapist who's been on the run since 1996.
The City of Los Angeles in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigations has doubled the previous $50,000 reward for information leading to the identity, arrest and prosecution of the person they believe is responsible for 35 sexual assaults in Los Angeles county between 1996 and 2012.
All of the crimes occurred in the early morning hours between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. Thirty-two of the crimes have been committed in the city and three in county, Los Angeles police said.
The suspect typically walked up to each victim and engaged them in conversation before producing a knife or firearm. He would then walk them to a secluded area and sexually assault them. The victims ranged from 15 to 44 years of age, KCAL9's Dave Lopez reports.
"This suspect is very unique in that he attacks the women sometime between 5 and 8 in the morning - lone females walking to work or to school - takes them into an alley, accosts them and leaves very quickly," Capt. William Hayes said at a news conference Thursday.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 40 to 55-years-old, with brown eyes and brown hair.
He stands between 5'2" and 5'6" and weighs between 130 to 170 pounds.
He has been described as having a light complexion, and was once dubbed the "teardrop rapist" after victims described him as having a possible teardrop tattoo or tattoos below one of his eyes, or a possible scar. Police say he may have attempted to remove the tattoo. He has also been seen with a mustache.
The suspect has been seen wearing a gray or dark hooded sweatshirt. He has also worn a bandana, black baseball cap or dark-colored beanie.
Anyone with more information about the suspect was urged to call (877) LAPD-24-7.
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