A suspect in a series of batteries of females in Beverly Hills, possibly sexual in nature, was in custody Friday.
The crimes occurred between 6 and 10 p.m. Thursday in the 200 block of North Rodeo Drive, 400 block of North Canon Drive and 9600 block of South Santa Monica Boulevard, according to Beverly Hills police Lt. Elisabeth Albanese.
"In each case, the suspect approached a female victim and made physical contact by grabbing the victim," Albanese said.
"The victims were each able to retreat from the suspect and sustained minimal or no physical injuries. The preliminary investigation indicates the suspect's motive may have been sexual in nature."
All the batteries occurred in Beverly Hills' commercial district.
The suspect, identified by police as 26-year-old Joshua Stevens of Culver City, was arrested at 9 p.m. Friday at Dayton Way and Canon Drive, said Beverly Hills police Lt. Scott Dowling.
Police distributed Stevens' photo to area businesses and the public.
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Dowling said someone recognized Stevens from the photo and called police.
Stevens is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond, according to online sheriff's inmate records. He is due in court Tuesday.
