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Avondale police seek public's help in identifying sexual assault suspect

Posted at 9:34 AM, Oct 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-12 21:20:40-04

The Avondale Police Department is asking for help in identifying a sexual assault suspect.

Police say the assault took place on September 26 at Kimberly Park located near Garden Lake Parkway and Lakeshore Drive around 11:30 p.m.

Police said the attack happened near one of the ramadas. The 17-year-old girl was walking alone through the park when the man approached her, struck her head, and threw her to the ground before sexually assaulting her, according to Sgt. Thomas Alt with the Avondale Police Department.

“That’s really scary because many people do walk home at night, and you have your headphones in so you don’t really see what you're doing," said Autumn Fletcher Castro, who lives nearby.

Some neighbors said the park is not well-lit at night. The private park has security, but the park isn't monitored 24/7.

“After that, anybody can come back, there’s a lot of people who come back here at night when the security leaves," Dillon Torres said who lives nearby. "It’s too dark to see, very honestly, it’s very dark." 

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his late 20’s to early 30’s, dark wavy hair, brown eyes, a star tattoo on his right forearm, and having an athletic build.

Witnesses say he was wearing a yellow bandana on his head, a white tank top, and black pants.

According to police, he was last seen at the park as the victim fled the area in search of help.

Anyone with information should contact the Avondale police or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.