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.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.