'Teardrop' Rapist Linked To 28th Los Angeles Attack, First Since 2005

Police released composite sketches of a man dubbed the "Teardrop" rapist wanted in connection with 28 attacks in Los Angeles since 1996.

A sexual predator has eluded Los Angeles police since 1996 while committing more than two dozen rapes and attempted assaults. Now, he's struck again.

The man has been dubbed the "Teardrop" rapist for a tear tattoo on his face. He has recently been linked by DNA evidence to a sexual assault last November on a 15-year-old girl heading to school in south L.A., the Los Angeles Times reported.

The revelation on Tuesday stunned many because it's the predator's first known attack since 2005, according to the Associated Press.

Police said the attacker has repeated a clear pattern in his crimes against the 28 women and girls. The victims were walking alone in the early morning when a man brandishing a gun or knife forced them into a secluded area.

It's unknown why there was a 6-year gap between crimes, but police said it's possible the serial rapist had been locked up for something else, ABC News reported.

DNA evidence connects 11 of the attacks to the wanted man. In the cases without that type of proof, police say the crimes mirror the others, making it extremely likely they were perpetrated by the same person.

Nine sketches of the suspect were released during a press conference with the LAPD and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Police said the suspect is a Latino man between 27 and 40 years old, according ABC News. He is between 5-foot-2-inches and 6-foot tall, while his weight falls between 130 and 200 pounds.

(Story continues below)

Some women have said the attacker had a tattoo under one or both of his eyes, but the most recent victim didn't see the marking, police said, adding that it's possible the tattoos have been removed.

The L.A. city council offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the rapist's capture, radio station KPCC announced.

Anyone with any information should call 1-877-527-3247, a number specifically reserved for the "Teardrop" crime.

Also on HuffPost:

From our partners

• Porn Star Launches Sex, Relationship Advice Column 'Dear Bibi Jones' - BroBible.com
• Bad Roommates: The 7 Worst Types - Guyism.com
• JFK Conspiracy Still Believed By Majority Of Americans, But Fewer Than Before - TruTV.com

Comments

[SocialNic]

07:10 PM on 06/28/2012

"Somebody has to know somebody with a tattoo like this. And if you know someone like that call the police!" ~Jane Velez Mitchell

Seriously? Has no one seen an episode of Locked Up? Those tear drop tattoos seem to be as common as Ramen noodles in prison. Now the poor law enforcement hotline will be deluged with calls from people who have seen men with those tattoos.

[MzBergy]

02:17 PM on 04/27/2012

There is only two reasons a rapist would go on a hiatus...One is that he either moved away and the other is he might have been locked away on different charges. Back in 96 it was not mandatory to take DNA from a person entering a prison or jail facility for crimes they committed.

[Susan Shaffer]

05:38 AM on 04/27/2012

none of these images look alike!
I am not questioning if it is the same man.
More problematic is how can anyone identify him from this sketches?

[adamantthe1st21]

01:28 AM on 04/27/2012

He could be any illegal.

[Agdoc]

12:56 AM on 04/27/2012

Soooo...we're looking for an old/young, short/tall, skinny/fat, black/Hispanic guy with/without one/two teardrop tattoos next to his right/left eye, who has a narrow/square face with/without a mustache? Piece of cake. Just arrest all of East Los and start the DNA testing. We'll get right on it.

[QUIT LYING]

12:44 AM on 04/27/2012

"The man has been dubbed the "Teardrop" rapist for a tear tattoo on his face."

So why is the tattoo missing from some of the faces.

[paulazac]

12:32 AM on 04/27/2012

A teardrop tattoo has many symbolism's, all revolving around the death of someone. Some wear one to signify the loss of a loved one while others have one to show that they have taken someones life. The only way to be sure about an exact meaning is to ask the bearer.

[glyngcgb]

12:17 AM on 04/27/2012

One of those sketches looks just like our POTUS......, has he been in LA lately......,

[Kayla Boyce]

12:06 AM on 04/27/2012

9 pictures of COMPLETELY different people. Who the H am I looking for? None of those sketches even slightly resemble eachother

[wilkesgm]

12:01 AM on 04/27/2012

No different than the anti-white lynch mob mentality surrounding George Zimmerman - a Hispanic. It is the media - they play stories for whatever they can get.

[wilkesgm]

11:58 PM on 04/26/2012

Apparently he can be white, hispanic and african american with tear drops on both sides, no sides, either side. Definately the work of a Sharpie marker.

[jring75]

11:57 PM on 04/26/2012

I feel very bad for the victums and there familys,I really hope they catch this dirt bag

[Dan Crabtree]

11:39 PM on 04/26/2012

Well if indeed if this man is caught it will take years of good old california counselling before he can be released back into the public population again,.but with the right guidance he should re-inter the population ohhh with-in five years or so...good luck califonians..

[Okey Umez]

11:38 PM on 04/26/2012

They should make a movie and flush him out. These cats tend to have a huge ego.

[bijoutouri]

11:34 PM on 04/26/2012

HE'S WEARING A HOODIE!!