Arrest made in connection to multiple sex assault attempts in South Los Angeles park

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A transient has been arrested in connection to multiple attempted sexual assaults at the South Los Angeles Wetlands Park.

The suspect who's now in police custody has been identified as 35-year-old Secundino Rodriguez.

Los Angeles police believe the suspect tried at least three times to assault women who were jogging or walking in the park. The victims in the incidents were able to safely get away.

"They were usually in the evening hours, female victims who were alone utilizing the park. He would physically attack them," LAPD Detective Karen Garay said.

The attempted assaults occurred between last October and this March.

"This whole case is a really good example of how the city family works together to solve problems like this," Recreation and Parks Department official Kevin Regan said.

Police warned women in the area to not visit the park alone and be vigilant of their surroundings. Authorities also went door-to-door and handed out sketches of a suspect they were looking for.

"This alarming because it's such a peaceful place. If you come in the mornings or the evenings, you see families, kids," City Councilman Curren Price said.

The park is well lit and has cameras, but it was the composite sketch put out by police that led to Rodriguez's capture. A parkgoer called police after seeing someone who matched the sketch in Wetlands Park.

"Last Thursday, at this particular location, there was an arrest made of the individual who was wanted for at least two of the three attempted rapes that had occurred," LAPD Officer George Rodriguez said.

Police say Rodriguez is a transient with a criminal record.

Authorities are still asking parkgoers to be vigilant of their surroundings.