Well, this is nothing short of terrifying and awful. There’s a man on the loose in Southern California who makes it a habit of using his “friendly face” to walk into the back of day spas and massage parlors and viciously assault the employees.
LAist reports that he’s responsible for at least 31 counts of sexual assault, robbery, and kidnapping between 2003 and 2009 in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. In one case, he chased a 55-year-old woman down the hall, slammed her into a wall, breaking her collarbone, and punched out five of her teeth.
The suspect seems to have a routine. He has a “friendly face” and he’s able to talk his way into the back rooms of day spas and massage parlors by asking for a drink or to use the restroom. Then he pulls a knife or gun on a female employee, corralling them and forcing them to disrobe. Then he sexually assaults and robs them. These incidents all happened in the middle of the day, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In even more depressing/disgusting news, his targeted businesses businesses have employees that are mostly female and foreign-born, making police think that some of the attacks haven’t been reported. “There are aspects of shame, and we believe there are other victims out there,” Riverside police Chief Sergio Diaz said.
The suspect is described as black or mixed race, 6 feet tall, between 240 and 260 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes. He’s believed to be in his 40s. If you know anything about him, contact Melendrez at (951) 353-7119, or Detective Rita Cobb at (951) 353-7120.
[LAist, LA Times]
