LAPD Seeks Possible Serial Rapist in West Los Angeles

Law enforcement officials believe two sexual assaults that occurred on July 2 and July 4 in West Los Angeles are related. Both assaults occurred near Santa Monica. Police believe the suspect, described as black and 25-30 years old, may have committed other similar crimes.

On Saturday, a woman walking home was grabbed from behind by the suspect and dragged to a dark path. A statement from the LAPD described the assault. "He threw her onto the ground and got on top of her. The victim fought back, but the suspect struck her numerous times and sexually assaulted her before fleeing."

The victim on Monday had been walking home when the suspect approached her. "He put his arm around her neck, pulled her down a driveway and forced her to the ground." After raping the woman, he fled on foot.

The suspect is described as 160 pounds and 6 feet to 6 feet two inches tall. He has black hair and facial hair.

Although the LAPD did not release the addresses of the rapes, the CrimeMapping.com website lists the 1900 block of S. Westgate as the site of a forcible rape at 4:15 pm on Monday. The police say the two sexual assaults occurred within a half mile of each other.