Recognize Woodland Hills' Preppy Perv? Call The Cops

LOS ANGELES, CA — A man who has been accosting women as they shop in the West San Fernando Valley is getting bolder and more aggressive, Los Angeles police warned Thursday.

The Los Angeles Police Department released video and photos of a preppy pervert they dubbed the "Preppy Store Masher" in hopes that someone will recognize him before he strikes again.

“While none of the women was injured and the physical contact has been over clothing, we need to identify him quickly,” explained Det. Arlene Padilla, the lead investigator from LAPD’s Topanga Detective Division. “His behavior is premeditated, as we can see from his movements in the stores, and our concern is, his behavior could escalate in boldness or aggression.”

In one attack, the man followed a woman through a parking garage and grabbed her from behind in a bear hug. He released her quickly, and she chased him away.

The suspect, a thin man in his mid 20s with closed-cropped hair and preppy clothes has been walking up behind unsuspecting shoppers and thrusting his groin into their buttocks, according to police. The sexual assaults have taken place at crowded shopping centers including a shoe store, a discount clothing store and a department store. The assaults happened in Canoga Park and Woodland Hills between June 10 and July 11.
“We think he focuses on stores frequented by women during daytime shopping trips,” Padilla added. “He might be seen on the Orange Line or in any store between Fallbrook St. and DeSoto Ave., and Erwin St. to Sherman Way, which is the greater shopping area for the West San Fernando Valley.”

Detectives believe he may ride the Orange Line into Canoga Park and appears to be targeting stores between Fallbrook St. and DeSoto Ave., and Erwin St. to Sherman Way.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to call Det. Arlene Padilla, Topanga Detective Division, at (818) 756-3376.

Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Department