The Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday announced the arrests of four men in connection with separate sexual assaults in the San Fernando Valley and authorities are seeking additional victims.
The incidents occurred between June 28 and July 7 and the victims range in ages between 9 and 55, according to the LAPD.
One of the suspects, 43-year-old Edgar Munoz, previously worked as an English teacher at Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley and other schools.
He was arrested on suspicion of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor in Chatsworth dating back to 2019, according to LAPD.
Police said some of the incidents involving Munoz occurred on campus and during school hours.
Cedric Tinsley, 25, was arrested after allegedly breaking into a home, beating, choking and sexually assaulting a person before taking off in the victim’s car. He was being held without bail, police said.
Police believe he may have victimized others and indicated that he has ties to Simi Valley and other areas of Ventura County and Santa Clarita.
Two of the suspects had already been identified:
Mario Orozco, 31, is accused of breaking into several homes and sexually assaulting victims in the Reseda area. He is suspected in a number of hot prowl burglaries and/or sexual assaults as well as a series of incidents that occurred over the course of a few hours overnight in the area of Vanowen Street and Etiwanda Avenue.
Blessing Wainiwheh, 31, was arrested after allegedly raping a woman.
Authorities provided photos and detailed descriptions of the suspects in hopes of identifying more possible victims.
In many cases, the assailants entered homes by undoing screens over partially opened or open windows, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said.
Authorities emphasized the importance of locking doors and windows and encouraged increased security, especially as temperatures rise during the summer months.
Anyone with information about the alleged assailants, or believes they may have been victimized by them, is asked to contact Detective Arellano at 818-832-1167 or 34839@lapd.online or Detective Joseph Hampton at 818-374-7717 or 36817@lapd.online.