Police In Gardena Seek Man They Say Broke Into Woman's Home Before Sexually Assaulting Her
GARDENA (CBSLA.com) — Gardena police are on the hunt for a sexual predator they said broke into a woman's home and sexually assaulted her.
The incident occurred Friday morning in the 15600 block of Atkinson Avenue, near the El Camino College campus.
While the police have stepped up patrols in the area, KCAL9's Rachel Kim spoke to many area residents who said they won't feel safe until the rapist is caught.
"We just feel violated. Nothing to this magnitude has ever happened," neighbor Tammy Bermudez said.
Police say around 9:30 a.m., a woman in her 20s was sleeping in her house when she heard a noise. She walked out of her bedroom and encountered a burglar who had come in through an unlocked door. Police say that's when the man sexually assaulted her before fleeing.
The victim's neighbors are shaken up.
"I think the most concerning thing is that we had so many neighbors home and nobody really saw or heard anything," neighbor Deborah Muniz said.
"For it to happen and we don't know about it until she's running across the street screaming for help, that hurts us," Bermudez said.
A faculty member at El Camino College sent an email warning faculty, saying the woman is a student there. Campus police also sent alerts letting students know what happened.
Meanwhile, Gardena police searched for the man suspected in the assault.
"They had lot of police out here investigating. It seemed like they were very thorough. They did bring out the bloodhounds," said Muniz.
Police say they are working every lead to find the man behind the brazen attack.
The woman's neighbors are making sure they are safe.
"Just being really extra cautious," said Muniz.
"Make sure the doors are locked," said Bermudez.
