Westside Residents Warned Of Prowler Who Sexually Assaulted Woman

WESTWOOD, CA — Authorities Thursday are asking for help identifying a man who sexually assaulted a UCLA student after sneaking into her apartment as she slept.

Detectives released a sketch of the suspect along with surveillance images of him and his vehicle. The attack occurred at about 4 a.m. Friday in the 11000 block of Strathmore Drive. A woman heard movement inside her home and awoke to find a strange man standing above her, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"The suspect ... entered a bedroom where one of the female residents was sleeping and sexually assaulted her as she slept," an LAPD statement said. "The victim awoke and confronted the suspect, who ran from the apartment and fled the area in a vehicle that was parked nearby."

The vehicle was described as a gray, late-model four-door Ford Fusion.

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There was no obvious sign of forced entry into the apartment, where three other women were also asleep at the time.

The victim described her attacker as white or Hispanic, between 30-40 years old, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with a medium build. He had a close-cropped beard.

Police are warning residents to be on alert for the suspect and to take precautions to stay safe.

Police asked anyone with information, including residents who might have surveillance video of the area, to call LAPD Operations West Bureau, Special Assault Section detectives at 213-473-0447. Calls made during non- business hours or on weekends can be directed to 877-527-3247.

Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.