Neighbors are on edge after a man who sexually assaulted a woman while she was walking in West Hollywood remains at large.
On Aug. 13, West Hollywood deputies responded to the 1200 block of North Sweetzer Avenue shortly after midnight.
The female victim said she was walking when the suspect suddenly approached her and sexually assaulted her. He fled the scene before authorities arrived.
Witnesses who saw the attack rushed over to help her. One of the neighbors captured cell phone footage of the suspect running away.
“Probably a little after midnight, I turned off the TV and I heard some screaming,” a neighbor, Peter Dobson, told KTLA’s Chris Wolfe. “I came outside and saw the commotion at the end of the block and there was this poor girl who had apparently been assaulted and raped.”
Detectives released images of the suspect that were captured on the day the assault occurred.
Authorities are searching for a male suspect who sexually assaulted a woman while she was walking in West Hollywood on Aug. 13, 2025. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department) 
Authorities are searching for a male suspect who sexually assaulted a woman while she was walking in West Hollywood on Aug. 13, 2025. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
He was described as a Hispanic man between 18-30 years old. He stands around 5 feet 7 inches tall and has a thin build. He was last seen wearing a dark long-sleeved sweater, dark shorts with a light-colored stripe and a dark driving cap.
Neighbors in the area were stunned to hear of the attack.
“I think it’s very shocking because this is a relatively safe community,” another neighbor said. “It’s important to stay super hyper-vigilant when you’re alone. It’s extremely important to watch your surroundings. You want to make sure there’s no one following you.”
“I imagine the best thing to do is for everybody to keep their wits about them,” Dobson said. “If they’re walking home late at night. I suggest you always have friends with you.”
Anyone who recognizes the man or has information on the case is asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-5273 or email specialvictimsbureau@lasd.org.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
