Teardrop Rapist Linked To Another Sexual Assault
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The so-called Teardrop Rapist has been linked to another sexual assault, one day after the city offered a $50,000 reward leading to his arrest.
The assault took place on June 15 around 5:30 a.m. when a 29-year-old Hispanic woman was walking in the area near 25 Street and Naomi Avenue, Los Angeles Police said.
"She was approached by a man who attempted to converse with her and then produced a handgun and forced her to walk into an alley where he attempted to sexually assault her," officials said in a statement.
The suspect then fled the area on foot.
The Teardrop Rapist has been linked to 35 similar assaults since February 1996 through DNA evidence or "the suspect's distinct mode of operation," police said.
All incidents have occurred between 5 and 8 a.m.
"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," said police.
The Teardrop Rapist is a Hispanic male between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall, 40 to 55-years-old and has brown hair. He has one or two teardrop tattoos under his right or left eye, but officials say the markings may have been removed.
Anyone with information should contact LAPD's RACR Division at 877 LAPD 247.
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