LAPD Warns of Sexual Predator Roaming Valley

Los Angeles police detectives in the San Fernando Valley today warned women to be on the lookout for a sexual predator believed responsible for at least nine sexual assaults and two attempted kidnappings.

The suspect's crimes began Jan. 20, 2011 and, on one occasion, the suspect walked up behind a young woman walking home and grabbed both her legs in an attempt to lift her off the ground. That victim was able to break free, detectives assigned to the LAPD's Mission Station said.

In most cases, the victims were walking when the suspect came up behind them and groped them.

The Asian or Latino suspect has also been seen around Arleta High School, masturbating in his car while trying to attract and lure teenage girls to him.

The crimes occurred at:

-- Beachy Avenue and Van Nuys Boulevard on Jan. 1, 2011, at 5 p.m.

-- Terra Bella Street and Beachy Avenue on Aug. 28, 5:50 p.m.

-- Beachy Avenue and Claretta Street, Sept. 20, 2011, 4 p.m.

-- Canterbury Avenue and Osborne Street, Jan. 22, 2012, 8 a.m.

-- Terra Bella Street and Beachy Avenue, Feb. 24, 2012, Feb. 24, 2012, 7:30 a.m.

-- Arleta Avenue and Terra Bella Street, Jan. 27, 2012, 7:10 a.m.

-- Van Nuys Boulevard and Woodman Avenue, Feb. 28, 2012, 9 p.m.

-- 1400 block of Van Nuys Boulevard, March 12, 2012, 9 p.m. and at

-- Beachy Avenue and Bromwich Street, March 29, 2012, 4:10 p.m.

A composite drawing of the suspect shows him with short, curly black hair with some gray in it. He has brown eyes, is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 160-200 pounds.

He is believed to be driving a red or white Honda, Toyota or Nissan with a license plate covered with some type of cloth. It was possible a second suspect could be driving the suspect around.

Anyone with information should call Detective Juan Santa at (818) 838-9893.

Panorama City

A 21-year-old woman was missing today in Panorama City, and police sought the public's help locating her.

Sunay Morales Diaz was last seen around 11 p.m. Saturday at her home in the 8300 block of Sepulveda Boulevard, said Officer Karen Rayner of the Los Angeles Police Department.

"Her family is extremely concerned for her welfare," Rayner said in a statement. "Diaz has the mental capacity of a five-year-old child and requires medication for a medical condition."

The missing woman is Latino with brown hair and black eyes. She is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. Diaz was last seen wearing a gray shirt, purple and white vest, dark blue jeans and red Nike shoes.

Police urged anyone with information regarding Diaz's whereabouts to contact Mission Area detectives at (818) 838-9800 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7.