Residents of the Fairfax neighborhood on the southeastern fringe of West Hollywood are rallying to push for more response to crimes in their neighborhood that have included the sexual assault of two women on July 3.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division today released a sketch of that alleged attacker. The man was described as white, 30 to 40 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing 160-180 pounds. He had a short gray beard.
Just before midnight on July 3, the assailant, armed with a handgun, entered an apartment on the 400 block of North Ogden Drive. “The suspect tied both of females’ hands and sexually assaulted them,” a police statement said. “Once one of the victims began to scream the suspect fled the location.”
Residents of the area, which is just south of Melrose Avenue and east of Fairfax Avenue, have reported other disturbing incidents on a local neighborhood website.
“Over the past month a peeping tom has been trespassing and peeping in women’s windows on the 400 block of Sierra Bonita,” one woman posted. “My boyfriend has caught him twice outside my place, but he was able to make off in a large silver Silverado both times. I have filed a police report.”
The woman identified that person as a black man aged 35 to 50 who was short and of average weight. She said he was driving a silver 4-door Silverado whose partial license plate number was CA 751 2902.
A few days ago another peeping tom was reported on South Orange Grove Avenue and a local resident who has corresponded with WEHOville said a fourth peeping tom is suspected to be in the Fairfax neighborhood.
Melrose Action Neighborhood Watch will hold a meeting Wednesday at the Blu Jam Cafe at 7371 Melrose near Martel to discuss the crime issues with representatives of the L.A. Police Department’s Wilshire Station and of L.A. City Councilmember Paul Koretz and the Mid City West Community Council. Also there will be Inga Wecker, the LAPD’s senior lead officer for the Wilshire District.
LAPD detectives are seeking assistance from anyone with knowledge of the sexual assault case on July 3. Anyone with information, including any possible additional victims of this suspect, is urged to call Detective Daniel Aguirre or Detective John Macchiarella at (213) 486-6910. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1 (877) LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.
