LANCASTER \u2013 A 14-year-old girl walking to school in Lancaster Thursday morning was dragged into the bushes and sexually assaulted, authorities said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur community is absolutely appalled that someone would perpetrate such a heinous act,\u201d said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. \u201cWe do not tolerate such crimes here in the Antelope Valley; and, as such, I am personally offering a $5,000 reward for the apprehension of this criminal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sexual assault happened around 6:15 a.m. Thursday (Dec. 13) in the 2000 block of East Avenue J-8 in Lancaster, according to Sgt. Brian Hudson of the Sheriff\u2019s Department\u2019s Special Victims Bureau.<\/p>\n
The girl was walking to school when she noticed the suspect walking behind her and crossed the street. The suspect also crossed the street and was getting closer to her, Hudson states.<\/p>\n
The suspect grabbed the victim, dragged her into bushes located along the south side of the street, and then proceeded to sexually assault the victim, Hudson states.<\/p>\n
The suspect eventually stopped his assault and fled the location on foot towards 20th Street East. The victim went to a local residence, contacted Lancaster Sheriff\u2019s Station, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, Hudson states.<\/p>\n
The suspect is described as a Black male, between 30-35 years old, approximately 5\u201907-5\u201908 tall, with a dreadlock hairstyle.<\/p>\n
Detectives from the Sheriff\u2019s Special Victims Bureau are handling the investigation and are seeking the public’s assistance in apprehending the suspect.<\/p>\n
\u201cLancaster station will be increasing uniformed patrol presence to ensure a safe passage for kids to and from school,\u201d said Captain Bob Jonsen, commander of Lancaster Sheriff\u2019s Station.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, we are combining our investigative resources with that of Special Victims Bureau to apprehend the suspect as quickly as possible,\u201d Jonsen said.<\/p>\n