Suspect sought in barbershop rape
DOWNEY -- Police are seeking the public's help in capturing a man who sexually assaulted a female employee inside a Downey barbershop last week.The victim was closing the store, located on the 12000 block of Paramount Boulevard, at about 7:45 p.m. Feb. 23 when the assailant asked to use the restroom before getting his hair cut, police said. When he exited, he pretended to have a gun and demanded money from the victim, which she did not have. The man then took the victim to a back room and raped her, police said. The man drove off in an older model white Honda coupe parked in front of the barber shop and headed westbound on Cole Street from Paramount Boulevard. The license plate contained the numbers "44". The Sheriff's Department's is conducting forensic tests on evidence left at the scene, said Downey police Sgt. Randy Wells. Results typically take about two weeks to come back, Wells said. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic in his late 30's with a bald or shaved head, 5 feet 8, and weighing about 210 pounds. He was wearing a navy blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and white shoes. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jerry Price at (562) 904-2359. ********** Published: March 6, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 46