Police hope a newly released sketch will help them track down the man who attacked a female hiker in Griffith Park Wednesday morning. Whit Johnson reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2014.
Police have released a sketch of the man suspected of attacking a woman hiking in Griffith Park Wednesday, and are asking for the public’s help to find him.
The woman was punched repeatedly during the attempted sexual assault and suffered bruises and a broken finger before breaking free, investigators said.
The attack happened near a popular trail on Mt. Hollywood Drive, leading to Dante's Peak, around 10 a.m., investigators said. The man was wearing a backpack and appeared to know the trails.
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The attacker is described as a Hispanic man between 30 and 35 years old, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and 150 pounds. Police said he spoke Spanish to the victim.
He has short brown hair, a light complexion and a mustache. He also had distinct acne marks on his face. He was wearing a grey polo shirt and blue jeans.
At a news conference Thursday, city officials stressed that Griffith Park is generally safe, but urged both men and women to hike the trails with a partner.
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“For someone to hike way up like this, it shows they had some intent,” said City Councilman Tom LaBonge, who represents the area.
