The masked intruder broke into the home on Helberta Avenue on August 6 at about midnight. The victim's roommate says the suspect made his way in through a window that was just slightly open for ventilation.
Police say the victim was taking a shower when she heard the intruder.
"She peaked out through the shower curtain, she looked out and here's a man in a ski mask wearing all black clothing, holding a 12-inch long statue of hers in a, like a batter-like stance and he tries to hit her," said Sgt. Phil Keenan from the Redondo Beach Police Department.
The suspect missed the victim and hit the bathroom cabinet, shattering the glass mirror.
The woman screamed, causing the suspect to drop the statue and flee.
Keenan says the 20-year-old victim suffered some minor cuts from the glass shards, but may have been spared from something much worse, possibly sexual assault.
The suspect's M.O. of breaking in through an open window matches a series of other burglaries in the South Bay area, including eight in Redondo Beach alone. While there were no confrontations in those cases, authorities are warning residents to keep all their windows and doors closed, even when at home.
"If you see someone prowling around the neighborhood, don't hesitate to call because what we believe in all these cases is that this guy in fact went through these neighborhoods multiple times until he found open windows and doors, felt comfortable enough to go inside," said Keenan.
The suspect was wearing a black ski mask and dark clothes. He's about 5 feet 10 inches, with a thin build.
Anyone with information is urged to call Redondo Beach police at (310) 379-2477.
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