(Sketches: Right: March 2012; Left: January 2013)
“Two victims in separate incidents have given us descriptions that have
resulted in two nearly identical sketches,” said Detective Luz Montero,
an investigator at LAPD’s Mission Area Police Station. “We think the
suspect lives in the area he prowls.”
On the afternoon of December 22, 2012, an 18-year-old girl was walking
on the sidewalk near Woodman Avenue and Lassen Street, when she noticed a
red compact car parked at the curb with the passenger door open. A
fair-skinned man unexpectedly jumped out from the open car door,
completely naked, and extended his arms toward the girl as if to hug or
grab her. The girl ran away, and the suspect drove away in the red car.
“We want to warn the public again with
this latest incident before the school session resumes, and we want
everyone to be on the lookout for the Red Car Flasher,” Detective
Montero explained. “We’re calling him a flasher, but since he has
tried to grab victims, the stakes are much higher.” So far, no victims
have been physically harmed.
The red compact car is a commonality among all the cases, as is the
suspect’s light complexion and close-cropped, receding hair with a bit
of gray. Victims have ranged his age between 25 and 40 years and height
from medium to tall. He may have a scar on one cheek, and one victim
thought his name may be Paul. The red car may be an older import like a
Honda, Toyota, or Nissan. In some cases he may have tried to hide the
license plate of the car with a towel or shirt. All the victims have
been Hispanic girls in their teens.
Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call LAPD Mission
Detectives, at 818- 838-9975. Anonymous tips can be called into
Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S
on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with
the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org,
click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.
Detectives will release a map showing the location of all the incidents and proximity to schools.
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