Sexual Assault Suspect Sought In Riverside County, Video Released

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A sexual assault suspect is sought in Riverside County following two incidents reported this week in Bermuda Dunes, one of which was caught on video surveillance.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the suspect is described as a Black man between 20 and 30 years old with a medium to heavy build, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall.

Watch a clip of the video surveillance:

The investigation into the alleged incidents began shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, when a victim was followed to her apartment in the 78000 block of Avenue 42 by a masked male. The suspect approached the victim but was scared off when she screamed, the sheriff's department said.

The man took off through the apartment complex and got away before deputies could track him down, though investigators were able to obtain video surveillance footage of the shirtless suspect.

Then, at about 10:27 a.m. the same day, deputies received a report of a sexual assault near Adams and Dune Lake streets.

The victim told deputies she was sexually attacked in the area between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. The suspect, whose description matched the earlier incident, was wearing a black ski mask, according to the sheriff's department.

"Deputies believe the male described by the victims was the same suspect in both incidents," the sheriff's department confirmed.

Anyone with information about this suspect’s identity or his whereabouts is asked to contact Investigator Perez of the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling 760-863-8447 or the Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951-776-1099. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Valley Crimestoppers at 760-341-7867.