Police in the South Bay have ramped up patrols after a man sexually assaulted two boys this week at park restrooms.
A young boy was forced into a men’s restroom stall and sexually assaulted at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach around 2 p.m. Friday, Manhattan Beach Police said.
"You wouldn't think it would happen in daylight. At this time of day," park visitor Kevin Lu said. Lu himself has a son who is around the same age as the victim.
The recent incident has caused residents to be concerned.
"It should be a safe place for the kids to go to bathroom," Manhattan Beach resident Christine Garcia said.
The suspect has been described as a white male with grey hair, a medium build, in his 40s, wearing a white shirt and dark-colored pants at the time of the assault.
Just two days prior, another sexual assault was reported at a park in nearby Hermosa Beach.
A 13-year-old boy was sexually assaulted around the restroom at Valley Park on Wednesday around 8 p.m., Hermosa Beach Police said.
"The victim was confronted and physically taken to the ground by the suspect, where the suspect ultimately sexually assaulted the victim," Hermosa Beach Police Sgt. Robert Higgins said.
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The suspect was described as a white male, in his 30’s and approximately 6 feet tall.
Because of the suspect description, location and sexual violence toward children, police in both Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach believe the crimes were committed by the same person.
"Our investigators are on it and we’re going to bring this guy to justice," Higgins said.
