RSSWhen purported crimes take place in the dark of night, it can be extremely difficult to rely on witness or victim accounts. Knowing what a suspect looks like is essential for police work as well – even in cases where there is ample physical evidence, authorities must first know where to look and who is a possible match for such evidence.
On June 20, police arrested an 18-year-old Covina man for a shocking crime: sexually assaulting several women throughout a year-and-a-half time period.
Apparently, the alleged crimes took place in or near an apartment complex; the suspect is a resident at that particular complex.
In late December of 2012, a 28-year-old female was allegedly groped and pushed to the ground as she went to get something from her vehicle in the complex’s carport. Two months later, a 29-year-old female jogger was allegedly fondled while out running on Cienega Avenue. Fortunately, a passing motorist honked their car horn and the attacker fled. Following that incident, a pregnant woman was out walking during the morning hours when she was approached from behind, pushed down and then supposedly kicked by the suspect.
After this string of incidents a yearlong gap occurred. However, this past April, a 47-year-old woman claimed to have been attacked while walking in Covina. That same woman later identified the 18-year-old man, and even alleged that he had once again been following behind her as she walked down the street.
Initially, police weren’t sure who could be identified as a potential suspect, since the victims’ descriptions of the man were vague. However, some of the women recalled that the man had sported glasses and, in fact, the suspect recently arrested by police does wear glasses and bears a resemblance to a police sketch.
Police charged the young man with not only sexual battery but also felony assault. Making this case more complicated is the fact that some of the alleged attacks took place before the suspect turned 18. This means that some of the charges he faces will actually be pending in juvenile court.
The suspect is slated to appear in court in mid-July. The man has composed an apology letter, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Remember, when your future is on the line… contact the Law Offices of Jonathan I. Kelman at 310.286.1218.