South Lake Tahoe police release sketches in sex assault investigation
Submitted by editor on Thu, 08/04/2016 - 11:40am
On July 25, a woman visiting South Lake Tahoe reported a robbery and attempted sexual assault in a laundry room at Lakeland Village on Lake Tahoe Boulevard.
Over the past year, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department has received at least three such reports and believe they may be related due to similarities in the subject's description and method of operation, said Lt. Brian Williams.
SLTPD wants to caution the public and is asking for help in identifying the suspect(s) in these cases.
In Monday's crime, the victim was approached by a Hispanic male suspect who grabbed the her from behind and attempted to drag her into a vacant storage closet. She fought back and was able to escape. The suspect fled the scene on foot with the victim’s purse.
The next day, a Hispanic male on a dark colored BMX bicycle approached a local female resident while in the driveway of her Ski Run Blvd area residence. While initiating a brief conversation, the suspect used similar speech and unusually-assertive mannerisms consistent with the suspect at Lakeland Village, said Lt. Williams.
The suspect told victim he was 18 years old, and that his name was “Robert.” The nervous victim told the suspect her family was inside of the residence, and the suspect quickly left the scene. Two of the victims were able to work with a sketch artist and come up with the composites.
On October 15 of last year, a similar incident was reported. A woman was walking on Park Avenue when she was approached by a Hispanic male on a bicycle. The Hispanic male told the female victim that he had a gun, and told the victim to come with him. The victim was able to run away.
The suspect in these cases has been described as a Hispanic male between 18-30 years old; approximately 5’04’’ to 5’06’’ inches tall, with a small to medium build. The suspect is described as having medium length dark hair and no facial hair.
It is possible that these cases are not connected and committed by different suspects, but SLTPD says enough similarities exist that they believe the suspect is the same. Not all details are bring released at this time so not to jeopardize the investigation.
Anyone who may have information about this case is encouraged to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530-542-6100, or to remain anonymous, Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at 530-541-6800 reference case #1607-2735 and Detective Jake Herminghaus.
