Suspect Sought In Sexual Assault Of Young Teen

SANTA ANA, CA — Police asked Wednesday for the public's help in tracking down a suspect who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl at Cabrillo Park in Santa Ana on Thanksgiving weekend.

The attack occurred about 1 a.m. Saturday at the park at 1820 E. Fruit St. The teen was sitting on a bench when the suspect sat down next to her and made "small talk," which made her feel uncomfortable enough to get up and start walking away, police said.

The suspect threatened her at knifepoint to sit back down on the bench, where he sexually assaulted her, according to police, who said the victim sustained "multiple visible injuries."

The suspect is a Latino man about 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8, weighing about 160 to 170 pounds. He has short black hair, brown eyes and a short beard, and was wearing a white button-up shirt, blue-gray shorts and a black belt with silver buckle.

Anyone with information was asked to call detectives at (714) 245- 8542. Orange County Crime Stoppers, which accepts anonymous tips, can be reached at (855) TIP-OCCS.

Santa Ana Police Sketch Photo