Alleged Sherman Oaks Serial Rapist May Have More Victims

SHERMAN OAKS, CA — Los Angeles police are encouraging victims of an alleged Sherman Oaks serial rapist to come forward.

According to detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys Division, 65-year- old Michael Bernback trolled adult websites looking to pay women for sex. However, when the women arrived at his home, he raped and hurt them according to police.

Bernback was arrested in 2015 and is out on bail as he awaits trial. Police now believe he may have preyed upon women since 2013.

“He would arrange meetings with women at his residence and would engage in consensual sexual activities,” detectives said in a written release. “However, Mr. Bernback would exceed the activities that were initially discussed, forcing victims to participate in sexual activities that were injurious to the victims.”

Authorities worry there may additional alleged victims out there afraid to come forward. A search warrant served at Bernback’s Sunnyslope Avenue home yielded evidence that luring victims to his home for years, police allege.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Van Nuys Detective Householder at (818) 374-0010 or (818) 374-0040.

Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Department