Authorities Warn of Police Imposter Groping Women

Investigators today sought the public’s help in identifying an armed man who impersonated a police officer while fondling two women in separate incidents in the Hollywood and East Hollywood areas.

The suspect approached a victim in the 6100 block of De Longpre Avenue last Tuesday as she was searching for her keys, according to a Los Angeles Police Department crime alert.

The suspect produced a badge and identification, told the victim to get against a wall and then searched her while fondling her breasts and buttocks, police said.

He then pulled a handgun from his waistband and warned the woman that he would shoot her if she screamed, police said.

He then fled.

On Monday, the suspect followed a victim into her parking area in the 500 block of Kingsley Drive in East Hollywood and approached her vehicle, police said.

He pressed a badge against her vehicle’s window and told the woman her registration was expired, police said.

He ordered the woman out of the vehicle and had her open her trunk, saying he needed to search for weapons, police said.

The man then ordered the woman against a wall for a pat down search, during which he fondled her inner thighs and buttocks several times, police said.

The victim said she believed the suspect had gun holster on his hip.

The suspect is described as black, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet 3 inches tall, 230 to 280 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was possibly driving a black Ford Mustang in the first incident and a purple Cadillac in the second.

Anyone with information about the suspect was urged to call LAPD Detective DeAnn Maltos at (213) 473-0447. Anonymous tips can be provided by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service