Serial sexual assault suspect linked to at least 12 Los Angeles-area attacks since 2014

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A manhunt is underway for a dangerous serial sexual assault suspect who has attacked at least 12 victims - with the youngest being just 15 years old - since 2014.

Investigators discovered the serial nature of the attacks this May through a case being investigated by Los Angeles Police Department's 77th Division, LAPD Capt. William Hayes said during a Friday press conference.

DNA evidence discovered from that case was matched to a case within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's jurisdiction that dated back to January 2014.

Officials have identified 11 related cases and a total of 12 victims who were assaulted by this suspect.

The suspect targets female prostitutes working in the western regions of Los Angeles in the Alameda corridor, Hayes said.

The corridor is a 20-mile-long rail cargo expressway linking the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the rail network near downtown Los Angeles, according to the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority.

Hayes said the suspect lures his victims into his vehicle by pretending to be a customer. When the victims are in his car, the suspect then pulls out a gun, takes them to a remote area in South Los Angeles, sexually assaults them and releases them.

The most recent case was on Friday morning. The victim in the case was picked up in Compton, Hayes said.

The victims range from 15 to 46 years old.

According to information provided by the victims, the suspect was described as an African-American male, between 30 and 50 years old, standing around 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing between 180 and 220 pounds.

He is bald but has been described by his victims as having a salt-and-pepper goatee or beard.

He was seen driving an older model black Dodge Ram truck, but most recently, he was seen driving an older model white four-door sedan, possibly a Nissan or Toyota.

Hayes said police are concerned for the safety of the women being targeted by the suspect. He added that law enforcement officials have gone to several communities through outreach programs to alert people about the assaults.

If you have any information about this case, you're urged to call Detectives Dara Brown or Daniel Aguirre at (213) 486-6910 or (877) LAPD-247.

City News Service contributed to this report.