Huge Reward, Arrest of Serial Rapist

[achtungbaby]

A $50,000 City Council reward was announced today for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a gunman who police say has sexually assaulted two women in Koreatown and tried to attack a third.

"He's an opportunist. He's probably walking the street. He is not someone that you would look at right away because he stands out. He actually just blends in," said Los Angeles Police Detective Jesse Alvarado.

"We want people to be concerned. We want them to be aware," Alvarado said.

"Number one, if you're a lone female, coming home in the evening hours, call your roommate, call someone who lives with you to meet you downstairs," Alvarado said. "If you don't have someone like that, then, don't open the door for someone you don't know."

The latest crime occurred about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, when a woman was accosted as she entered her apartment building, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

According to police, a gunman followed the woman to her apartment, forced his way in, demanded money and tried to assault her sexually, then fled.

He is believed to be the same person who sexually assaulted two other women at gunpoint in their Koreatown apartments, one on Aug. 26 and another on Sept. 28, between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m.

The suspect is described as black, about 20-25 years old, 5 feet 10 to 6 feet 2, 180 to 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He may speak some Korean, police said, and has worn a purple or blue bandanna.

The crimes occurred in the areas of First Street on the north, Wilshire Boulevard on the south, Wilton Place on the west and Normandie Avenue on the east. Police released composite drawings of the wanted man.

The City Council reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Councilman Tom LaBonge said "the reward is $50,000. So we ask for all to get the word out, watch it ... we're also going to get a bulletin out to our city workers, both in public works and water and power, because they work in the area, and they may see something."

Mayor Jim Hahn also asked the public to help police find and lock "up the individual who has been terrorizing Koreatown.