LA sex-assault prowler suspect arrested, after $35,000 reward offered

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The suspect in a series of break-ins and attempted sexual assaults in Los Angeles has been arrested, police said, one day after a $35,000 reward was offered in the case.

The suspect broke into at least eight apartment buildings from downtown LA to Silver Lake to Hollywood, and attempted to sexually assault women at least twice, police said.

The suspect was caught on surveillance video entering apartment complexes through unlocked gates, hopping fences or simply being let in by unsuspected residents.

He got into two unlocked apartment and attempted to sexually assault women inside, police say, but in both cases the victims screamed and scared him away. On surveillance video he was seen carrying what appeared to be a kitchen knife in his pocket.

On Tuesday, the LA City Council and LA County Board of Supervisors authorized a $35,000 reward for information leading to the suspect's arrest.

The Los Angeles Police Department did not release further details of the arrest or the suspect's identity. They also did not say whether the reward money led to the arrest. Officials plan to hold a news conference Thursday afternoon to provide more information.