Victoria Street site of attacks on women

Deepa Bharath

Police are looking for four men who grabbed and inappropriately

touched three different women on separate occasions on the same

stretch of Victoria Street over the last two weeks, officials said.

All three incidents happened between the 500 and 600 blocks of

Victoria Street, Costa Mesa Police Lt. John FitzPatrick said.

The first attack occurred on New Year’s Day at 1:50 a.m., he said.

A woman was walking alone in the 600 block of Victoria when a man

walked up from behind and pulled her into the driveway of an

apartment complex, FitzPatrick said.

“The man pulled at her clothing,” he said. “But the victim fought

[him] off and was able to get away.

The second incident happened at 3:15 p.m. in the 600 block of

Victoria. This time, three men reportedly grabbed a woman from behind

by her arms and legs, FitzPatrick said. They then touched the

victim’s private parts over her clothing, he said.

A motorist driving by stopped to help the woman, FitzPatrick said.

All three men fled.

The third incident again reportedly happened in broad daylight at

about 11:20 a.m. Jan. 8. One man walked up from behind the victim and

grabbed her by the buttocks over the clothing, FitzPatrick said. The

man then laughed and ran away, he said.

None of the victims were injured, FitzPatrick said.

The three incidents appear to be related, he said.

“As of this point, we don’t see any specific danger to the public

from these men although these are brazen acts,” FitzPatrick said.

“But we want the public to be aware that this has risen to three

incidents.”

Women should be aware of their surroundings and when possible,

walk in pairs on in groups, he said.

“The targets in all these incidents have been women walking alone

on the street,” FitzPatrick said.

There is no indication that the assailants are part of a gang, he

said.

“For all we know, this could be part of a terrible prank,”

FitzPatrick said. “But we want the public to take precautions and be

watchful.”

Such assaults can be traumatic for victims although there is no

physical injury, said Heather Banuelos, program director for Sexual

Assault Victims Services, which serves as Orange County’s rape crisis

center.

These unpleasant encounters are hard to deal with because they are

sudden, brief and intense, she said.

“It’s important that women walk with their head up and look

confident,” Banuelos said. “They need to be aware of their

surroundings, and if they take a specific route on a regular basis,

they should know where to run if they face an attacker.”

Police have listed descriptions of the alleged attackers. The

first is said to be in his mid 20s, 5-foot-4, weighing about 130

pounds, and with short dark hair and brown eyes. He is said to “smell

heavily of cologne.” The second man was reportedly between 23 and 26

years old, between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-11, weighing about 180 pounds,

and with a shaved head.

The third attacker was reportedly between 18 and 20 years old, and

with a shaved head. The fourth assailant is said to be in his

mid-20s, about 5-foot-7, weighing about 150 pounds, and with short

black hair.

Anyone with information about the incidents or the attackers is

asked to call Det. Mike Cacho at (714) 754-5340.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.