The Kern County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man wanted for attempting to sexually assault and possibly kidnap a victim on Thursday in Delano.
Delano substation deputies were responding to a call for battery in the area of Woollomes Avenue and Melcher Road when they came across a female victim who said the suspect had hid behind her vehicle before assaulting her.
Deputies say after a short struggle, the victim ran away. The suspect chased after the victim but was unable to grab ahold of her. The suspect then got into a vehicle and left the area. Field workers nearby were able to help the victim.
The suspect is described as a dark-complected Hispanic male, approximately 28 to 35 years old, about 5’5”, 150 pounds, wearing a light brown straw hat, a red or blue bandana covering his face, and a red long sleeve shirt.
Two similar incidents were previously reported to the Sheriff’s Office. The first incident was reported on May 5, 2017, when a female victim was assaulted and stabbed while in the area of Elmo Hwy and Highway 99. The second case was reported on June 15, 2017, when a female victim was sexually assaulted after being struck by the suspect’s vehicle in the area of Driver Road and Peterson Avenue.
Due to the location of these incidents, which is within an approximate five-square mile radius, and the similarity of the suspect’s actions, detectives are currently investigating the possibility that these three cases are related and the same suspect is involved in each case.
If anyone has information on any of these cases they are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.
