Los Angeles detectives are urging the public to assist in the hunt for a suspect involved in a disturbing incident in Wilmington earlier this week. According to CBS Los Angeles, an 11-year-old girl was nearly kidnapped and sexually assaulted while walking on a city street during broad daylight.
The attack, reported to have taken place around 3:15 p.m. Monday, began when a man allegedly approached the girl from behind near M Street and Gulf Avenue, molested her, and attempted to abduct her, the police statement detailed. Residents in the area noticed the incident and intervened, driving the suspect to leave the scene hurriedly in his vehicle, a gray Nissan Kicks with a spare wheel on its rear passenger side.
The Los Angeles Police Department's Harbor Area detectives, who are handling the case, describe the suspect as a male, either White or Hispanic, aged around 20 to 30, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing around 240 pounds.
An official request for public assistance was released, asking witnesses or those aware of additional victims to contact detectives at (310) 726-7900. "During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247)," authorities advised, as stated in the news release from the LAPD's official website. The same statement delineates various methods for submitting tips anonymously, including through the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers hotline, an online portal, or the "P3 Tips" mobile app.
With the suspect still at large, authorities and the Wilmington community remain on high alert while the search continues.
