Deputies Seek Suspect who Groped Pierce College Student

Authorities today sought a man who groped a Pierce College student who requested help in jump-starting her car's battery in a campus parking lot.

The crime occurred about 8 p.m. Feb. 10 in parking lot 6, which is near the music building on the campus in the 6200 block of Winnetka Avenue, said Sgt. Michael Wolfe of the Sheriff's Community College Bureau.

"The suspect arrived via roadside assistance to aid the victim with a dead vehicle battery," Wolfe said. "While charging her vehicle, the suspect reached out and pulled the victim towards him. The suspect grabbed the victim's breast and buttock area.

"The suspect continued to fix the victim's car by charging the battery," Wolfe said. "Once her car was able to start, the victim locked herself in her vehicle and drove away."

The suspect was described only as Hispanic, 35-40 years old, with facial hair. He was driving a white, four-door Toyota Prius with a towing company logo on the side.

No other details were released by the Community College Bureau, which provides law enforcement services for the nine campuses of the Los Angeles Community College District.

Anyone with information on the crime was urged to call Detective Roberto Garcia, (323) 669-7561; or the sheriff's office at Pierce College, (818) 719- 6450.

--City News Service