LAPD looking for man accused of sexually assaulting woman in Valley Village after leaving gym

VALLEY VILLAGE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man wanted in connection with a sexual assault investigation in the Valley Village area.

The Los Angeles Police Department released surveillance images of the suspect and said he is accused of assaulting a woman after allegedly following her home from a North Hollywood gym on July 19 around 8:30 p.m.

Police said the man approached the woman from behind and assaulted her.

The suspect is described by police as 6 feet tall, with brown eyes and black hair, a large build and a thick neck. He was last seen wearing a tan long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and brown/black cowboy boots, according to police.

LAPD detectives told Eyewitness News they believe there are more victims and that the suspect targeted women outside other area gyms.

"It honestly made me feel kind of scary because I'm like around the area so especially heard it happened around the gym, so it made me kind of wonder if it's the gym that I go to. But yeah, it's a pretty scary situation," said area resident Jessica Orazco.

"It's terrible. You come to the gym to work out and take care of your mental health and then that comes out and then that's just more traumatizing for you," said another resident, Mel Vasquez.

"Makes me really scared honestly. I come here alone so, I don't know, I guess I'm gonna start having to bring my boyfriend or someone else with me," said Nicole, of North Hollywood.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact LAPD's North Hollywood Sex Detectives at (818) 754-8458. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call (800) 222-8477.