A $100,000 reward has been reinstated for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the ‘teardrop rapist’ case, in which 35 women have been sexually assaulted since 1996.

The “teardrop rapist” is suspected of assaulting at least 35 women. (photo courtesy of the LAPD)

The teardrop rapist has assaulted women in many different areas of the city, stretching from East Hollywood to South Los Angeles. The assaults generally have occurred between Alvarado Street and Western Avenue.

He is believed to most recently have struck in 2011 in the 2600 block of Brighton Ave. in South Los Angeles. He allegedly struck in the area patrolled by the Wilshire Division in 2001 near Normandie Avenue and Clinton Street, south of Melrose Avenue. Four of the sexual assaults occurred in the Rampart and Koreatown districts. In one of those assaults, which occurred in 2000, the teardrop rapist allegedly raped a woman near Kingsley Drive and Wilshire Boulevard.

The suspect generally targets women walking alone between 5 and 8 a.m., and attempts to gain their trust before forcing them at knifepoint or gunpoint to a secluded location, where the sexual assault occurs.

Police have linked the same individual to 15 of the rapes through DNA evidence, and the others have been linked through the suspect’s method of operation and victim descriptions. Many victims have reported that their attacker had a teardrop tattooed below one of his eyes, a symbol of spending time in prison.

Det. Jesse Alvarado, of the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division, said authorities are now downplaying the teardrop tattoo, as some of the victims have reported it being under his right eye, while others have said it was under his left eye, or did not report the suspect as having a teardrop tattoo. Alvarado added that it is possible that the suspect had the tattoo removed. He said the reward may be the key to solving the case, and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.

“In cases like this, clues from the community will dry up. But every so often, we will get a phone call, so it’s important to keep putting the information out there,” Alvarado said. “This money would go a long way for a family who needs it. We believe this individual is living in one of the areas he is capering in.”

Alvarado said the suspect may not appear to be threatening. He generally wears clean clothing and engages the victims in conversation to gain their trust prior to committing the sexual assault.

“We believe he is now an older man, and he might not appear to be dangerous,” Alvarado said. “He could be living next door and you wouldn’t know it.”

The teardrop rapist has been described a being a Hispanic man between 40 and 55 years old. He is approximately 5 feet 2 to 5 feet 6 inches tall and 130 to 170 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair, and a light complexion. He has been seen wearing a gray or dark-colored hooded sweatshirt. In some instances, he has worn a bandana, black baseball cap or a dark-colored beanie.

Alvarado said four to five LAPD investigators have been assigned to the case full time, and dozens more regularly assist in following up on leads. Investigators have also worked with the FBI on the case.

Detectives have examined “a couple thousand” photographs in law enforcement databases of suspects with tattoos or other marks on their faces in an attempt to determine the rapist’s identity. The number was narrowed down to approximately 450 potential suspects, and each of those individuals was ruled out by investigators in the case, Alvarado said. Every lead that comes in continues to be checked, and investigators are notified by personnel at the individual LAPD police stations if someone is arrested with a tattoo or mark on their face so they can be vetted, he added.

The Los Angeles City Council provided $75,000 for the reward — which was first announced last June — and the FBI provided $25,000. Alvarado said catching the rapist is a “top priority” for the department.

Authorities have established a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lapdsas where people can provide tips. Information can also be submitted to dets. Alvarado or Sharlene Johnson, the lead investigators in the case, at (213)486-6910, or through the LAPD’s hotline at (877)LAPD247. Tips can also be emailed to rhd-sas@lapd.lacity.org, made via www.lapdonline.org, or sent by texting TIPLA, plus the information, to CRIMES (274637).