Composite sketch released of Reseda alley rape suspect

RESEDA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles police have released a composite sketch of a suspect who allegedly raped an 18-year-old woman in a Reseda alley at knifepoint.

The victim was walking home around 10 p.m. on March 27 when she cut through an alley near Victory Boulevard and Corbin Avenue.

"She heard the sound of a knife opening and some footsteps behind her, and before she knew it the suspect had her up against the wall, threatening her with a knife," LAPD Detective Ninette Toosbuy said.

The suspect sexually assaulted her and fled the scene, police said.

Feeling scared and ashamed, the victim went home and didn't report the sexual assault for several weeks.

"Once she felt reassured and encouraged by a family member, she did come forward and provided useful details," Toosbuy said.

The victim did not know her attacker, but she was able to help detectives develop a composite sketch.

"This is not a person that looks familiar to her. It's not somebody that she knows or anything, so based on what we have from the victim this is a complete stranger," Toosbuy said.

Although investigators do not believe the suspect is connected to any other similar crimes, detectives say they want to catch the suspect before he strikes again.

"There's no indicator that she was being targeted. I feel that based on what we have so far this was a crime of opportunity. The suspect happened to be there and happened to see a lone single female in a dark sort of isolated area," Toosbuy said. Walking in dark, unlit areas where there is virtually no vehicular or pedestrian traffic, such as an alley, leaves you at a much greater risk as opposed to being on a sidewalk where there's traffic coming by."

The suspect was described as a man between 25 and 27 years old with a medium height and build.

Anyone with information on this crime was asked to contact the LAPD's West Valley Sex Unit at (818) 374-7718.