'Person of Interest' Questioned by Long Beach Police in Series of Robberies, Assaults Against Seniors

LONG BEACH, CA -- A "person of interest" who matched the description of the man wanted in a string of robberies and assaults against senior citizens was being questioned Friday by the Long Beach Police Department.

Police have not made a connection between the man and the case, LBPD spokeswoman Marlene Arrona said.

"The active investigation continues, and detectives are pursuing all leads in the robbery series," she said.

The latest crime occurred about 7:25 a.m. Thursday, when officers were dispatched to a panic alarm at a residence in the 3700 block of Pacific Avenue, Arrona said.

"Arriving officers determined a residential robbery and an attempt sexual assault occurred," Arrona said.

She said the culprit rang the victim's doorbell, forced his way into her home, tried to sexually assault the woman and then "fled with the victim's property."

The 90-year-old woman was able to fight off her attacker, but she suffered injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, Arrona said. The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment.

"Detectives believe this incident is tied to the robbery series in/around a senior housing complex near Atlantic Avenue and Via Carmelitos," Arrona said.

In the other four crimes, a suspect victimized women ranging in age from 63 to 95 between Feb. 2 and Sunday at the senior housing complex, police said. In most cases, a man knocked on the door, forced his way inside and physically assaulted the victims, police said.

The suspect got away with purses, cell phones and cash, police said. In one case, the victim was walking near the residential complex when the robbery occurred, police added. The four attacks were carried out at various times between 5:45 a.m. and 7:45 p.m., police said.

Sunday's attack escalated to a sexual assault, police said.

Detectives obtained video from surveillance cameras in the area and released a photo of the suspect, hoping someone will recognize him and come forward. He is between 25 and 30 years old, 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-11, with a thin to medium build.

Anyone who may have information regarding the assaults was urged to call Long Beach police Sex Crimes Detective J. Kearns at (562) 570-7368 or email LBPDSexCrimes@longbeach.gov.

-- City News Service contributed to this report. Photo courtesy of the LBPD.