Police receive tips on rape

COSTA MESA -- Police have received several tips regarding a

suspected rapist who attacked a 26-year-old Costa Mesa woman Thursday

night, said department spokesman Sgt. Tom Boylan.

“A couple of the tips are definitely worth looking at,” he said.

Police hope to have a composite sketch of the man suspected in the

attack distributed by this week, he added.

The suspected rapist has been described as a 35-year-old white male, 5

feet, 10-inches tall and 180 pounds. At the time of the attack, he had a

buzz haircut and a three-day growth beard. He was last seen wearing a

black plaid jacket, a black T-shirt and bluejeans.

On Thursday, the victim was walking home from work at about 10:30 p.m.

on Harbor Boulevard near Bay Street when she was approached by the

suspect and forced into his car at knifepoint.

He then drove her to the parking lot of an apartment complex on the

2000 block of Maple Street and raped her inside his car, according to

police reports.

The man then drove away from the scene in a vehicle described as

looking similar to a green, two-door Honda Del Sol.

The victim is doing fine and despite her harrowing experience,

returned to work Monday, Boylan said.

-- Noaki Schwartz