A man was arrested and charged this week in connection with two sexual assaults in Long Beach, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) announced today.
Police located and arrested Miguel Avila, 19, of Long Beach in connection with two sexual assaults that occurred earlier this month.
The LBPD said that on November 9 at about 2:00AM, a female victim reported that a man ran up behind her and slapped her on her buttocks while she was walking with a friend near Fourth Street and Orange Avenue. When the victim confronted the suspect, he exposed himself, wrapped himself around the victim and then ran away.
Police also said that on November 15, again around 2:00AM, a similar incident occurred in the same area. Another female victim reported that, while she was walking with a group of friends, she was pushed to the ground by a man who ran up behind her then began sexually assaulting her.
The LBPD began investigating the case, and located and arrested Avila on November 17. He was found to be on parole for a sex-related offense and was out of compliance with his registration requirements, police said.
The LBPD presented the case to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office (LADA) for filing consideration on November 20. The LADA filed charges of three counts of assault with intent to commit a felony with the felony being a sexual assault, and one count of failure to register. Avila is currently being held on $355,000 bail.
Police believe there may be additional victims, and urge anyone with information regarding these incidents or who may be additional victims to call Long Beach Police Sex Crimes Detective Adriana Jaurigui at (562) 570-7372. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.