Authorities Friday sought public help to find a sexual predator suspected of getting inside four residences in Maywood this month and groping female victims.
The first crime occurred about 1:30 a.m. Oct. 5 in the 6100 block of King Avenue, the sheriff's department reported.
"As the victim sat in her living room, the suspect emerged from her bathroom hallway, approached her and grabbed her breasts," according to a sheriff's statement. "As the unwanted sexual touching continued, the victim fought against the suspect, pushing him away and forcing him out of the house."
The second crime occurred about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at an apartment complex in the 4300 block of 53rd Street, about a mile from the first crime. The suspect sneaked into a unit while the residents were asleep in their bedroom.
"One of the victims, a male adult, was awakened by the sound of a door opening," according to a sheriff's statement. "After seeing a dark silhouette and the light illumination of a cellphone, the victim yelled at the suspect. The suspect immediately ran and jumped out of an apartment window."
About 90 minutes afterward, the suspect entered a residence in the 4100 block of 53rd Street.
"The victim was asleep in her bedroom when she was awakened by the sense of someone touching an intimate body part," the statement said. "Realizing it was an intruder, she ran and locked herself in a bedroom and called 911.
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Upon the arrival of East Los Angeles deputies, the suspect could not be located."
On Wednesday about 4:30 a.m., the suspect entered a residence in the 3600 block of 53rd Street and covered the mouth of a girl sleeping in her bed. She yelled for help, and her father came to her aid.
"The father confronted the suspect and punched him before losing balance and falling to the floor," the sheriff's statement said. "This allowed the suspect to run out through the front door and flee the scene."
Investigators believe the crimes were committed by the same suspect, described as an Hispanic man in his 20s, between 5 feet 2 and 5 feet 5 inches tall, with a thin build and wearing dark clothing.
Anyone with information on the crimes was urged to call detectives at (323) 264-4151, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
