Man Sexually Assaulted Minor Walking Down West Hollywood Street: Deputies

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA — A West Hollywood man was arrested Thursday after following and then sexually assaulting a minor, according to authorities, who are seeking additional possible victims.

Elmer Mercado, 42, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of lascivious acts against a minor and annoying and molesting a minor, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies responded Tuesday to a call regarding two minors who said they were walking on the 1000 block of Havenhurst Drive, west of Crescent Heights Boulevard, when "the suspect followed them and assaulted one of them," the LASD said.

"Based on the nature of the allegations, detectives believe there may be additional unidentified victims," deputies said in a statement.

He was being held on $100,000 bail, deputies said.

Anyone with information about Mercado is asked to contact the sheriff's Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-5273, or by email at specialvictimsbureau@lasd.org.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers online or at 800-222-8477.