Cops are looking for a man who allegedly sneaked into a girl’s home, sexually assaulted her, and threatened her by claiming there was a shooter outside her window.
Police in Culver City, California, which is between Santa Monica to the west and Los Angeles to the east, do not know the suspect’s identity, but describe him as white or Hispanic, with an average height and build, wearing dark-colored clothes, a beanie on his head, and white shoes.
Officers said the home invasion occurred in an hourslong ordeal in the early morning on Saturday, Dec. 2. Between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., the suspect apparently entered the residence in the Blair Hills neighborhood and sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl. He allegedly left at approximately 7 a.m., police said.
“Culver City Police Officers immediately canvassed the surrounding area for witnesses and additional evidence and recovered video evidence that shows the suspect leaving the area,” cops said. “We want to assure the Culver City community that your safety and well-being is our top priority. Culver City Police investigators are utilizing all available resources and are working tirelessly to identify and locate the suspect involved in this crime.”
Police say this man is a suspect in a home invasion sexually assault against a 12-year-old girl in the Blair Hills neighborhood of Culver City, California. (Image of the suspect: Culver City Police Department; screenshot: KTLA)
The survivor’s parents spoke to Los Angeles CW affiliate KTLA in hopes of finding the attacker who harmed their 12-year-old daughter.
The mother, Alexis, said that the girl woke her up to tell here about the incident.
“She came to wake me up and just straight out said, ‘Mom, I need to call the police,’” she reportedly said.
“We believe he got in through the balcony at the back of the house, through the grandparent’s bedroom,” the father, Barry, said. “The door was left unlocked, and we believe that it was the middle of the night and he must’ve sneaked in.”
The attacker threatened their daughter and told her to stay quiet, they reportedly said.
“He told her that there was a shooter at her window,” Alexis said. “The safe neighborhoods apparently aren’t that safe either. So, get together, talk to your kids, have that communication and know your neighbors and know your neighborhood because we think we were watched.”
Barry agreed. He said he thinks the attacker is likely nearby. Someone would have had to watch in order to commit this type of terrible crime, he reportedly said.
Surveillance footage showed the suspect running down the street, the outlet reported.
The couple hopes that by stepping forward, the public can help identify the attacker.
“We do not think this is a first-time thing for him,” Alexis said. “We definitely think that this is something that this person does.”
Barry said their daughter is staying strong for them.
“She’s coping,” he said. “She’s being strong, I think, for us, but she’s doing pretty good.”
Culver City spokeswoman Jennifer Atenza told Law&Crime on Thursday that the department has no update.
From cops:
Investigators are asking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspect (see attached image). Anyone who may have any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Lieutenant Ryan Thompson at (310) 253-6302. You may also provide information by emailing [email protected].
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
