According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the incident occurred about 6 p.m. March 14 at the Red Line station at the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Sunset Boulevard.
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After the 60-year-old victim asked the suspect for directions, he lured the victim into what is described as an emergency exit "stairwell," LAPD investigators said. The man then strangled, punched and raped the victim.
The suspect is described by police as a transient who has been seen in Santa Monica and may frequent the Compton area.
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He is said to be a black man with brown eyes, between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing between 165 and 180 pounds. He has a shaved head, a 2-3 inch scar on his left forearm, and was wearing dark clothing and an earring in his right ear.
Metro said the stairwell where the attack happened is patrolled regularly by security.
People shared their concerns over what happened. Some say officers are usually visible in the area and are shocked by such a brazen attack.
"There's a lot of homeless people down there, too, that could sometimes act up," shared Los Angeles resident Clarissa Jacobo. "I'm honestly kind of scared now because, like, I'm by myself a lot and I'm a small person."
Anyone with information about the attack or the man's whereabouts is asked to call the LAPD's Northeast Division at (323) 561-3328.