Parolee Sought For Allegedly Raping Woman In South Bay

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA – Police sought public help Wednesday to find a parolee who allegedly raped a woman in El Segundo after befriending her on a Metro Green Line train.

The crime occurred about 7 a.m. Sunday in the 2300 block of East Rosecrans Avenue, said El Segundo police Sgt. Aaron Corkins.

Police circulated a photo of the suspect, whom they identified as Kerry Frank Lathon, a 35-year-old transient on parole for criminal threats.

The victim told police that around 6 that morning, the suspect introduced himself and began conversing with her on the Metro Green Line near the Marine Avenue Station, Corkins said.

About an hour later, after exiting at the Douglas Street Station in El Segundo, Lathon allegedly "guided the victim to a secluded stairwell behind a parking garage in the 2300 block of East Rosecrans Avenue," Corkins said. "He allegedly raped the victim at that point, then fled on foot in an unknown direction."

Anyone knowing Lathon's whereabouts was urged to call detectives at (310) 524-2216.

City News Service contributed to this post; Image via El Segundo Police Department