Police Hunt Suspected Sexual Predator In Santa Ana
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — Police need your help in catching a sexual predator who has preyed on women in Santa Ana.
The man sexually assaulted three women over three months. In all of the attacks, he followed the victims, tried to start a conversation with them before sexually assaulting them, according to police.
A security video shows the man grabbing a woman's behind. Another video shows the suspect following a woman outside a gym where he said his name was "Victor" before shoving her and attacking her.
Police said the victims fought back in all three incidents. One even punched him in the face, causing him to run away. Detectives said the man is becoming increasingly violent in each attack.
Investigators said the suspect wore a white T-shirt with palm trees graphics on the front in one of the attacks.
Sept. 4, 2015: The suspect approached a woman walking in the area of Raitt Street. He tried to engage her in a conversation before he grabbed her, pinned her against a tree, groped and sexually assaulted her. She scratched his face, yelled and escaped.
October 7, 2015: A woman was walking in a parking lot on South Bristol Street when the suspect followed her. Again, he tried to engage her in a conversation and told her his name was Victor. Then he touched and assaulted her. When the victim started screaming for help, the suspect took off.
Jan. 1, 2016: A woman was walking on Raitt Street when she was approached by the suspect, who told her his name was Victor. He sexually assaulted her. She punched him in the face. He pushed her to the ground before running off.
The suspect is described as 24-29, 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-8, and 150 to 165 pounds.
Security expert Stewart Haskin said many attackers look for easy targets, and women need to be vigilant. He offered some advice: "Throw whatever you have. Use your voice. Use the term: 'Back off.' Make it really aggressive and get out of there. Cause a scene."
If you recognize the suspect, contact Detective Corporal Javier Aceves at 714-245-8542 or Orange County Crime Stoppers 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
