Drawing of Rape Suspect Released

Los Angeles police detectives Thursday released a composite drawing of a man they said is responsible for the abduction and rape of an 11-year-old girl the night before near Central and Manchester avenues in South Los Angeles.

Det. Jesse Alvarado of LAPD’s Southeast station said the man forced the girl into his white van about 10 p.m. Wednesday as she sat on a bus bench waiting for a ride after a school event. The man, Alvarado said, took her to an undetermined area and raped her. He brought the girl back to the area of Central and Manchester, where he dropped her off, the detective said.

Alvarado said the girl was initially in shock over the incident and was examined at a local hospital. “She’s at home and doing a lot better now,” he said.

The man was described as being either a Latino or a light-skinned African American, between 35 and 40, with short dark hair. At the time of the incident, he was seen wearing a black shirt and black pants, Alvarado said.

The man’s vehicle was described as a full-sized white Ford van with no side windows. The interior includes brown paneling and red curtains on the vehicle’s rear window. The van is said to have a gray rear bumper, Alvarado said.

Recently, a man in a white van approached a 14-year-old girl in Santa Monica, asking her if she wanted a ride. The girl got away and immediately called authorities, who are looking for the man, said Santa Monica Police Sgt. Gary Gallinot. But it turns out the man wanted in Santa Monica is white and the van involved is believed to be a Dodge Caravan.

Anyone with information about the incident in South Los Angeles can call detectives at (213) 485-6902.