Introduction to the Incident
A man has been arrested in connection with a series of attacks against a transgender woman in Westlake.
Police say they are still looking for two other men.
Details of the Attacks
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said that over the span of five separate incidents ranging from an attempted sexual assault and aggravated assaults, to a robbery with a firearm, the woman has been victimized by what they believe to be the same group of men.
Police are investigating all of the violent attacks as hate crimes, including sexual assault, robbery, and attempted shooting.
Arrest and Investigation
Investigators said that the man who was arrested was taken into custody before the attack this past weekend.
The Los Angeles Police Department was asking for the public’s help to find a group of men who they say attacked a transgender woman over the weekend and are believed to be the same people who attacked her in April.
Previous Attacks
According to LAPD, the group involved in a previous attack returned to the victim’s location on May 31 at around 11:38 p.m. in the Westlake District of Los Angeles.
They assaulted 61-year-old Sabrina De La Pena, leaving her with serious injuries. The group left the scene before authorities arrived.
Victim’s Account
"In all my life, this is the first time someone beat my face," a severely bruised De La Pena told NBC4.
According to the LAPD, one of the suspected attackers entered the victim’s store on April 8 and began flirting with her. But once she rejected his advances, he left and later returned, pushing her to the ground.
"After that moment, the nightmare started. When I rejected him," the victim said. "They started beating me, beating me so bad. My face, my head, kicking me."
"The suspect sexually assaulted the victim and discovered she was a transgender woman. The suspect pulled away and threatened to kill the victim," the LAPD said.
Ongoing Crimes
The same man allegedly returned to the victim’s location several times along with other men and committed other hate crimes against the victim which included striking her with a skateboard, deploying pepper spray, and throwing an unknown liquid substance at her while another man attempted to stun her with a Taser.
Call to Action
Detectives believe there may be other unidentified victims and are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspected attackers and released their photographs.
Anyone who may have been a victim or has additional information regarding the identification of the suspects, is urged to contact Rampart Division Robbery Detectives at 213-484-3495. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).
Conclusion
The series of attacks on a transgender woman in Westlake highlights the need for increased vigilance and support for vulnerable communities. The arrest of one suspect and the ongoing search for others indicate that law enforcement is taking these hate crimes seriously. It is crucial for the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the identification and apprehension of the remaining suspects.
FAQs
- Q: What is the nature of the crimes committed against the transgender woman?
A: The crimes include attempted sexual assault, aggravated assaults, robbery with a firearm, and other hate crimes. - Q: How many suspects are currently being sought by the police?
A: The police are still looking for two other men in connection with the series of attacks. - Q: How can the public assist in the investigation?
A: The public can assist by providing any information regarding the identification of the suspects or by coming forward if they have been a victim of similar crimes. They can contact Rampart Division Robbery Detectives at 213-484-3495 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7 during non-business hours.
