Long Beach residents are advised to keep their doors and windows secured at all times and take other precautions as the Police Department is asking for help in identifying a suspect wanted in connection with recent sexual assaults that have occurred going back to 2008.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male between 5’6″ and 5’11”, with short black hair and green/hazel eyes and a small pock-mark type scar above his right eye.
Recently, an unknown suspect entered a woman’s residence through an unlocked window and attempted to sexually assault her, but the woman fought off her attacked and he fled. That incident took place on Monday, November 8, 2010 around 2:00am near 4th Street and Ximeno Avenue.
It is unknown whether this is related to similar incidents that occurred in December 2009 (Cherry and Ocean) and August 2008 (7th and Atlantic), in which a suspect sexually assaulted women who were showering as he entered through an unlocked window.
The department’s Sex Crimes Detail continues to investigate recent incidents of cat burglary in the Belmont Shore and Belmont Heights areas, where suspects entered residences and fled when the residents inside began to scream. It is also unclear whether these incidents – four since July 2010 – are related to those previously mentioned.
Police advise residents to always secure doors and windows, install outdoor security lights with motion detectors, keep bushes and shrubbery trimmed to prevent hiding locations and immediately report any suspicious activity or persons by calling 9-1-1.
Anyone who would like to report information or speak to a detective should call the Long Beach Police Department’s Sex Crimes Tip Line at (562) 570-7878. To send an anonymous tip via text or email, go to longbeach.gov/police or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).