Long Beach police were asking for the public’s help to identify a man wanted in connection with possibly more than 20 sexual assaults over seven months in the city since September.
The man can be seen on a bicycle grabbing a woman’s breast as he rides down a sidewalk in one video from Dec. 3 released by police.
Police said that after they released the video, the attacks stopped until Feb. 7, when another incident was reported.
Since then, six more incidents occurred in February and March of 2013, police said.
An incident that occurred on Sept. 15 wasn’t reported until Dec. 4, 2012 after the victim saw news coverage and came forward.
In the series of sexual batteries, the victims vary in age from 12 years to their mid-60s, and all of them have been walking on the sidewalk when the suspect came up behind them on a bicycle and grabbed either their buttocks or breast as he rode by.
The victims have described the suspect as either white or Hispanic, 5 foot 6 to 6 feet, 180-240 pounds, with gray and black hair and ranging in age from 25-50 years-old. Most victims said he was likely closer to between 35 and 45.
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In the most recent video, the suspect is seen wearing what appears to be a dark-colored sweatshirt and light colored pants.
Due to the varying descriptions of the bicycle provided by victims, it is believed the suspect may have access to more than one.
In the March 25, 2013, incident, the crime was witnessed by a person in the area who called police. But when police arrived, the victim had already left the area.
The Long Beach Police Department would like to remind the public to pay attention to who and what is going on around them and to report any suspicious persons or activity immediately by calling 911.
Anyone that has also been a victim that has not reported the incident to police or recognizes the suspect description is asked to contact Long Beach Police Sex Crimes Detective Louis Galvan at (562) 570-6407. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1 (800) 222-TIPS, texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637).
