South Lake Tahoe, CA (August 4, 2016) UPDATE: On August 3, 2016, the victim from Lakeland Village completed a composite sketch with a forensic sketch artist. The forensic sketch above depicts the suspect in the attempted sexual battery at Lakeland Village on 07/25/16.
Anyone who may have information about this case is encouraged to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530-542-6100, or to remain anonymous, Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at 530-541-6800 reference case #1607-2735 and Detective Jake Herminghaus.
South Lake Tahoe, CA (July 28, 2016) - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department has received at least three specific reports of assaults on women over the past year, which may be related. Although we are uncertain of a connection at this point, the suspect description, methods of operation and victim profiles are similar enough to merit this public notice. SLTPD wants to caution our public and ask for help in identifying the suspect(s) in these cases.
On 07/25/16 a female visitor to South Lake Tahoe reported a robbery and attempted sexual assault in a laundry room of the Lakeland Village condominium complex at 3535 Lake Tahoe Boulevard. The victim was approached by a Hispanic male suspect. The Hispanic male suspect grabbed the female victim from behind and attempted to drag her into a vacant storage closet. The victim fought back and was able to escape from the suspect. The suspect fled the scene on foot with the victim’s purse.
The next day, a Hispanic male on a dark colored BMX bicycle approached a local female resident while in the driveway of her Ski Run Blvd area residence. While initiating a brief conversation the suspect used similar speech and unusually-assertive mannerisms consistent with the suspect at Lakeland Village. The suspect told victim he was 18 years old, and that his name was “Robert.” The nervous victim told the suspect her family was inside of the residence, and the suspect quickly left the scene. The victim in this case was able to complete a composite sketch with a forensic artist, pictured here.
On 10/10/15 a similar incident was reported. A female was walking on Park Avenue when she was approached by a Hispanic male on a bicycle. The Hispanic male told the female victim that he had a gun, and told the victim to come with him. The victim was able to run away from the suspect in this case.
The suspect in these cases has been described as a Hispanic male between 18-30 years old; approximately 5’04’’ to 5’06’’ inches tall, with a small to medium build. The suspect is described as having medium length dark hair and no facial hair. Given the age range and rather general descriptors, it is possible that these cases are not connected, and may have been committed by different suspects. Nevertheless, enough similarities exist, some of which are not being fully released to the public in order to help safeguard pending investigative efforts, that SLTPD believes these may involve the same suspect.
Anyone who may have information about this case is encouraged to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530-542-6100, or to remain anonymous, Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at 530-541-6800 reference case #1607-2735 and Detective Jake Herminghaus.
