Woman sexually assaulted at Manhattan Beach

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A Manhattan Beach neighborhood is on alert after a shocking attack on Sunday. A man was forced to lie face down in the sand as his female companion was sexually assaulted.

A man and woman in their 40s were sitting on the sand near the 3400 block of Waterline when the suspect approached from behind at about 12:15 a.m., police said. The suspect simulated a handgun and forced the man to lie face down in the sand while he sexually assaulted the woman.

"He had his hand in his pocket, told them that he had a gun," said Sgt. Paul Ford of the Manhattan Beach Police Department. "He ordered the male victim to hand over his cellphone, and then ordered him to lie face down in the sand. He then turned his attention to the female victim."

At some point, the man was able to escape without being noticed and ran up to a nearby house to call for help.

The suspect realized that the male victim was gone and then fled the scene on foot, heading southbound down the street. Items that the victims had were also taken by the suspect.

Authorities searched the area for the man, but he was not located.

Residents say they normally feel very comfortable walking their dogs or strolling around the city.

"It's completely shocking to me. As a resident, we truly believe that it's one of the safest places in the country," Peter Erling said.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic man, between the ages of 25 to 30, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a thin build and a thin mustache. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.

Manhattan Beach detectives are handling the investigation. Anyone with further information was urged to contact detectives at (310) 802-5127.