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Woman assaulted in North Park; 6th attack in Mid-City

Police sex-crimes detectives believe all the attacks are related

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A woman walking alone was assaulted and pushed to the ground Thursday night in North Park, the sixth such attack in the Mid-City area since June.

San Diego police sex-crime detectives said Friday they believe all the incidents are related.

A community meeting will be held Saturday in North Park to address concerns of anxious residents. Councilman Todd Gloria, who represents the area, will attend, along with Mid-City Division police Capt. David Nisleit.

North Park meeting

North Park Lions Club

3927 Utah Street

Saturday, Aug. 30

12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The first two assaults occurred in Normal Heights and City Heights, and the last four occurred in North Park. All occurred at night.

Detectives believe the cases are all related because of the nature of the assaults, the locations, and the time they took place, police Sgt. Shawn Takeuchi said. A motive is not known, he said.

The latest assault was reported about 11:30 p.m. Thursday in an alley off Idaho Street near University Avenue. The victim was attacked from behind, knocked to the ground and punched in the face, police said.

Police released this image of a "person of interest" in the area at the time of the Aug. 28 assault.
Police released this image of a “person of interest” in the area at the time of the Aug. 28 assault.
Another image of the person of interest.
Another image of the person of interest.

Several people heard her screaming and came to her aid. The attacker was described as Latino, 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet tall, with a normal build, wearing a red shirt and dark pants.

The victim was transported to a hospital.

San Diego police held a community meeting in North Park last month for area residents and business owners. Women were advised not to walk alone.

Nisleit said officers were patrolling the area in force on foot, on bicycles and in cars.

Edwin Lohr, president of the North Park Community Association, said Friday night that although the attacks have created “some anxiety,” they are isolated incidents. Lohr, who helped start the North Park Citizens Patrol a year ago, said the community has banded together with marches and more volunteer eyes and ears on the streets.

“We live in an amazing community to work, play and shop,’” Lohr said. “... I want people to be safe and walk wherever they want.”

The other attacks were:

• July 20, 1:20 a.m., Lincoln Avenue near Kansas Street in North Park. A woman was ambushed from behind, punched in the face and knocked unconscious. She had serious facial injuries, police said.

• June 24, 1 a.m., Lincoln Avenue near Oregon Street in North Park. A woman was attacked from behind, knocked to the ground and punched in the face. She lost consciousness and woke up fully clothed. She reported the attack that afternoon. Police said she did not see her attacker.

• June 21, 9:40 p.m., also on Lincoln Avenue near Oregon Street in North Park. Two men knocked a woman to the ground. One tore at her clothes and tried to pull them off. She fought back and yelled for help. Two bystanders went to her aid and the attackers fled. She had serious facial injuries.

A sketch of a sexual assault suspect in Normal Heights. / San Diego Police Department
A sketch of a sexual assault suspect in Normal Heights. / San Diego Police Department

• June 17, 11:30 p.m., Meade Avenue near 33rd Street in Normal Heights. A woman was attacked by two men. She fought them off. One attacker was described as a light-skinned Latino, in his early 20s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall with braces on his teeth. The other was described as Latino, in his late 20s, who spoke with a Spanish accent. He wore a hooded sweatshirt.

Police earlier released a composite sketch of the attacker who wore braces. He was wearing a black shirt under a black-and-white checked long-sleeved shirt.

• June 11, 1 a.m., 33rd Street near University Avenue in City Heights. A man knocked a woman down and tried to sexually assault her. She lost consciousness and suffered injuries to her face.

Anyone with information on the assaults can call police at (619) 531-2210, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward.

(AARON Steckelberg / Union-Tribun)
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