Police Focus on Transients in Brush : Rapes Prompt More Patrols at Sepulveda Park

Attacks on four women since July in the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area have resulted in increased security and plans to rid the park of several encampments of transients, authorities said Tuesday.

On July 17, Oct. 9 and Sunday, three women were attacked and raped while jogging or walking in the park, and a fourth woman was knocked down and robbed Sept. 14, Los Angeles police said. No suspects have been arrested in the incidents, which police said may involve the same man.

Patrol Unit Added

“At least two of the occurrences have special characteristics that make them look like they involve the same suspect,” Detective Sgt. David Dempsey said.

In addition to adding a patrol unit to one already assigned to the sprawling park, which stretches from the San Diego Freeway in Van Nuys to White Oak Avenue in Encino, police have told women who jog or walk alone in the area to be extra cautious and, if possible, to exercise with a partner.

Dempsey said police believe that the attacker in at least two of the rapes may be one of many transients who live in heavily wooded parts of the recreation area.

That belief is primarily based on the victims’ descriptions of their attacker as an unclean, foul-smelling man who wore no shoes or shirt and appeared to know the brush areas, Dempsey said. In one case, the attacker made a statement to the victim that indicated he may live in the park, he added.

Two days after the Oct. 9 rape, police swept through the park and found six men living in parts of a mile-long stretch of heavy brush. None were arrested in the rape, but they were removed because it is illegal to sleep in the park.

Police said a similar tactic will be tried but declined to disclose when or what their plans are.

Police said the problem they face is that the brush in the park is so thick that it is hard to spot the encampments by foot or air.

On Tuesday, a police officer in the park saw a rifle-toting man who then ran into the brush. A subsequent search for the man with the help of a police helicopter failed.

“That shows the problem,” Dempsey said. “These people get down in there, and it is very hard to find them.”

Police said the four attacks on women occurred in the morning.

On July 17, a 38-year-old woman was walking near Burbank Boulevard about 7 a.m. when she was attacked, choked and raped, police said.

On Sept. 14 about 7 a.m., a 41-year-old woman was walking her dog near the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Hayvenhurst Avenue when she was knocked down and robbed.

Struck in the Head

Police said the Oct. 9 rape occurred at 10 a.m. after a 35-year-old woman was struck in the head from behind while jogging in the wildlife sanctuary off Burbank Boulevard.

Sunday’s attack occurred at 5:50 a.m. on a running trail near the Balboa Golf Course. The 54-year-old woman had been jogging when she was beaten and raped, police said.

In addition to police, Los Angeles city park rangers provide security in the recreation area. But Senior Ranger Tom Cotter said only two rangers are assigned to cover the 80 parks in the San Fernando Valley.

Despite that workload, Cotter said, rangers will increase the time they spend in the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, particularly during morning hours.