Sketch of rape suspect issued

Costa Mesa police on Tuesday released a sketch of a rapist who tried to kill a prostitute at Harbor and MacArthur boulevards last week.

The woman told investigators that the man, whom she said appeared to be Latino and in his late 20s, picked her up in a maroon Toyota-type pickup truck at about 10:45 p.m. Thursday.

When she suggested going to a hotel room he pulled into an empty parking lot by a hotel, pulled out a knife and threatened her as he made her choose between giving him money or sex, police said. When she said she did not have money he forced her to have sex with him, police said.

The woman managed to fight off her attacker, gouging his eyes and biting his lips as he slashed her with the knife, police said. The woman escaped and ran to a nearby hotel, according to police.

The suspect has a medium build, mustache and thin beard and he has suffered visible injuries to his face, eyes and lower lip, according to authorities. His truck has a black rack in its bed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Mike Delgadillo at (714) 754-5197.