LAPD Detectives Seek Additional Suspect And Victims Of Attacks

VENICE, CA — Los Angeles police are thanking the public for helping to identify a man police call "a prolific sexual battery suspect" connected to a series of attacks in the Palms and Venice areas, officials announced Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Operations West Bureau Special Assault Section said the community assisted in arresting a suspect this week and investigators continued asking the public's help to find the second reported suspect and other victims.

"Between May 14 and June 19, 2020, detectives with the Operations West Bureau have identified as many as 13 possible incidents, with potential additional occurrences in Culver City and Marina Del Rey," according to police.

"Thanks to video provided by concerned neighbors, investigators obtained a license plate of the suspect’s vehicle and identified one of the suspects involved in the series," police said.

"Officers assigned to LAPD Pacific Area located the vehicle, a silver Mercedes Benz C-class sedan, near where several of the sexual batteries occurred, shortly after midnight on June 22," police said.

They followed the vehicle and arrested suspect 21-year-old Darryll Mercadel of Los Angeles on suspicion of forced sexual penetration, police said.

“This is a great example of the neighborhood coming together to help get this guy off the streets,” Los Angeles Police Capt. Steven Embrich of the Pacific Division said in a news release. “Without these great neighbors looking out for each other, we wouldn’t have had that vital information that cracked the case. We really appreciate all the people who stepped up and helped us out.”

Detectives from LAPD’s Operations West Bureau Special Assault Section are still asking the public's help to identify a second suspect who they believe is working with Mercadel.

"In this series, the suspects approach young females who are walking or jogging alone on streets during early evening hours," police said. "The suspects grab the women’s buttocks and breasts, then flee on foot, on skateboard, on a bicycle and, in several instances, in a silver Mercedes Benz sedan."

"Witnesses describe the second suspect as a Black male of medium height and heavier build in his early 20s. Though they have not been seen together, both appear to be connected to the silver Mercedes and are likely working in concert.

Investigators encouraged anyone with information about the suspects to contact the Los Angeles Police Department's Operations West Bureau, Special Assault Section at 213-473-0447. Anyone who wants to submit an anonymous tip can go to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Due to the community’s assistance & proactive police work, 21 yr old Darryll Mercadel, the suspect in the video wearing a red outfit, has been arrested. Detectives are still looking for the 2nd suspect, described as a Black male of medium height & heavier build in his early 20s. https://t.co/lBAhtv1cNF
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) June 23, 2020

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