Rape suspect sought after a string of break-ins and sexual attacks in Maywood

Hours after authorities released a sketch of a sexual predator who allegedly broke into four homes and assaulted three female victims in Maywood, detectives announced they are looking for a man who they say raped a woman in the same area.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives declined to say whether the rape suspect is the same man wanted in the October attacks.

On Tuesday night, the Sheriff’s Department issued a public safety announcement, advising residents of the rape and urging them to secure their homes.

“Members of the community are encouraged to keep their doors and windows locked, and ensure the areas around their home are well lit,” the Sheriff’s Department said.

The attack occurred between midnight and 4 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of Slauson and Carmelita avenues. The victim, described as being between 30 and 40 years old, was alone at home when she was attacked by a man.

The suspect was described as 20 to 30 years old, between 5 feet 2 and 5 feet 7 with a thin build and partial facial hair. He wore a dark-hooded sweatshirt, authorities said.

Sgt. Betty Lascano said few details could be released about the attack to protect the alleged victim.

She said investigators do not have a sketch of the rape suspect.

The attack follows a series of break-ins and assaults that have left Maywood residents and city officials on edge.

City officials have offered a $5,000 reward for the arrest of the suspect in the earlier attacks, and authorities have warned residents: “If you are attacked, fight back.”

In each of the break-ins, which occurred over two weeks in October, the attacker snuck into homes in the early morning hours by removing screens from unsecured windows, authorities said.

On Oct. 5, the attacker grabbed a woman’s breasts as she sat in her living room, then fled.

Then, he broke into an apartment on Oct. 18, but was scared off by a resident who yelled at him.

About an hour and a half later, the suspect entered a home in the 4100 block of 53rd Street. A woman reported feeling someone touch an “intimate body part” as she slept. She awoke and found the intruder in her bedroom. The woman got up, ran into another room and called 911.

The next day, after breaking into a home in the 3600 block of 53rd Street through a kitchen window, the suspect entered a 13-year-old girl’s bedroom and covered her mouth with his hand as she slept. But she awoke and was able to yell for help, deputies said.

Hearing his daughter’s scream, the girl’s father confronted the suspect and punched him. But the father fell to the floor and the suspect was able to escape through the front door, deputies said.

Authorities described the suspect in those attacks as 18-20 years old, 5 feet 2 to 5 feet 5, with a very thin build. He wore dark clothing and did not appear to be armed during any of the break-ins.

Anyone with details about the suspects is urged to call, the Sheriff’s Department’s East Los Angeles Station at (323) 264-4151, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

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