Investigators Seek Public's Help to Find Rape Suspect

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in the search for an alleged rapist that could be in the surrounding area of La Puente.

On Jan. 2, a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in the 17000 block of Main St., according to a news release.

The victim recognized the suspect, who was at her apartment complex visiting former co-workers, but could only identify him by his first name “Michael.”  The suspect came up to the victim and began talking to her, accompanying her as she walked to the trash dumpsters, authorities said. 

Once there, he pulled her behind a wall and sexually assaulted her.  The suspect fled from the location onto Main Street and out of view.

The male suspect, believed to be 18 to 22 years old, 5’5” to 5’7” in height, and between 150 and 160 pounds, wears his black hair in a distinctive “faux hawk” style and has a smooth face.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau are asking the public’s help in locating and identifying the suspect.  Anyone with information regarding the identification or whereabouts of the suspect is urged to contact the Special Victim’s Bureau in Whittier at 11515 S. Colima Road, D-106 or call 877-710-5273.