Police Ask For Help Identifying Sexual Assault Suspect

SAN DIEGO, CA — Police in San Diego are asking for the public's help identifying a man they say sexually assaulted a woman after giving her a ride in a white or tan van he was driving.

In a release, police said the 55-year-old victim was standing in the 3800 block of Midway Drive in San Diego around 11:30 p.m. on May 22 when the man approached her in the van.

The driver of the van offered the woman a ride, and she got in, police said. He then drove to the 2300 block of Famosa Boulevard, where he sexually assaulted the victim. Police said he also physically assaulted the woman and threatened to kill her.

The victim fled and asked a person nearby to call 911. Police said the suspect was last seen driving away on southbound Famosa Boulevard.

The victim is described as a Hispanic man in his early 30s standing between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-7. Police said he has a stocky build, medium-length hair styled to the side and is clean-shaven.

According to the release, the man spoke both English and Spanish and wore a white tee shirt, light colored jeans and work boots with paint splatter.

The vehicle is described as a conversion-type van from the late 1990s or early 2000s. Police said the man potentially lives in the van, which contained a surfboard, two toolboxes and a single-size mattress in the back.

A $1,000 reward is offered for information leading to the man's arrest, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call the SDPD sex crimes unit at (619) 525-8435 or the anonymous CrimeStoppers tip line at (888) 580-8477.

If you have any info about this case please call @sdcrimestoppers anonymous tip line (888) 580-8477 or visit their website https://t.co/pSlWXuJLTo to learn how to submit an anonymous tip. A reward of up $1,000 is being offered for info that leads to an arrest in this case. pic.twitter.com/IF4pUXnYAo
— San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) May 27, 2020