Los Angeles County Sheriffs released images of a man who ambushed a female jogger and sexually assaulted her in hopes of finding the attacker.
A woman was jogging alone on a trail on the evening of June 1 at Whittier Narrows Recreation Center when a man attacked and sexually assaulted her, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Authorities released security camera video of the encounter in which the attacker can be seen riding up from behind the woman before grabbing her.
"He came out of the bushes, pulled her into the bushes and sexually assaulted her," sheriff's deputy Ryan Rouzan said. "While they were in the bushes the female was able to fight off the suspect and get away."
The surveillance video shows the attacker grabbing the victim then dragging her down a steep hillside before sexually assaulting her.
It took around 10 minutes for the victim to free herself.
The man escaped on a black BMX-bicycle and pedaled toward Durfee Road.
In an effort to identify the attacker, officials announced a $10,000 reward Friday to anyone who can provide information on a sexual assault that occurred early June at a South El Monte park.
Authorities believe he his in his late 20s, stands 5-feet-9 and weighs approximately 175 pounds. He has a tear-drop tattoo below his left eye, according to the description provided to authorities.
The woman was jogging with others in the park when she became separated from the group, investigators said. That's when the attacked moved in behind her.
"She did a wonderful job of fighting him off," said Lt. Todd Deeds of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The man had a clean-shaven haircut, a teardrop tattoo under his left eye and wore a black shirt and sweatpants.
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"I feel really sorry for the person that had to undergo that," said Anabel Anaya, a jogger in the area. "It's kind of scary to know things like that still happen near our home."
Anyone who has information on the assault or the suspected attacker is urged to contact the LA County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-5273. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 800-222-8477 or through lacrimestoppers.org.
