Authorities are asking the public for help Tuesday in their search for a man who assaulted a woman as she was working in her garden in the East Los Angeles area over the weekend.
The victim, 67-year-old Rosalina Martinez, was working in her yard in the 1000 block of Fraser Avenue around 6:15 a.m. Saturday when she was approached from behind by the suspect, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.
The suspect, identified Tuesday as 21-year-old Sergio Andrew Garcia, repeatedly punched the victim in the face before pulling down her pants and underwear, the spokesperson said.
A neighbor eventually came by and scared the suspect, who initially fled on foot before getting on a “fixie” bicycle that was nearby.
Authorities released photos of Garcia and described him as being 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He was wearing a brown sweatshirt, gray shorts, white shoes with red laces, and a red satchel that was wrapped around him.
There were no recent reports of similar attacks in the area, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
In an interview with KTLA, the victim, who was left with two black eyes and was in a neck brace, said her entire body hurts after the attack.
She said she thinks the assailant wanted to rape her.
Garcia has been arrested several times. He was last booked on suspicion of felony assault two years ago and was eventually released, records show.
Anyone with information about Garcia’s whereabouts is asked to call the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s station at 323-264-4151.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477).