Crime & Safety

Police Warn of Violent Rapist on the Loose

A convicted sex offender from San Fernando Valley has cut off his ankle monitor and fled.

Los Angeles police today sought public help to find a paroled sex offender, who cut off his GPS motoring device and fled.

Joseph Serapiglia, 43, was last seen Friday in Panorama City near Sepulveda and Roscoe boulevards, police said.

“He cut off his court ordered GPS monitoring device and escaped to an unknown location,” police said. “Serapiglia is a dangerous felon who has exhibited a violent nature and is a threat to the communities of Southern California.”

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Serapiglia is Hispanic, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs about 175 pounds, and has brown hair and eyes and a bushy mustache.

In 1991, Serapiglia was sentenced to 42 years in prison for attempted murder and rape. On April 16 of this year, he was paroled to live in the city of San Fernando, police said.

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Anyone with more information as to the whereabouts of Serapiglia was urged to call Detective McPartland, (951) 809-1647; Officer Sanchez, (818) 669- 5511; or (877) LAPD-247.

  • City News Service

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