Submitted by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 2:56 a.m., deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station responded to the 78000 block of Avenue 42 in Bermuda Dunes regarding a report of a suspicious person. The reporting party advised an unknown male followed her to her apartment. The male, who was wearing a mask, was scared off when the reporting party screamed as he approached her. The male ran in an unknown direction through the apartment complex. The male was described as a black male adult, possibly in his 20s, with a medium build. Deputies checked the area but did not locate the male; however, they were able to obtain video surveillance footage with an image of the suspect.
At 10:27 a.m., deputies received a report of a sexual assault near Adams Street and Dune Lake Street in Bermuda Dunes. The victim told deputies she was in the area between 2:30 and 3:00 a.m. when she was attacked by an unknown male and sexually assaulted. The victim described the suspect as a black male adult, 20–30 years old, approximately 5’-08”, and a heavy build. The suspect was wearing a black ski mask to cover his face. The suspect fled in an unknown direction after the assault. This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional details are available.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Thermal Station is requesting the public’s assistance with identifying the suspect of this assault. Deputies believe the male described by the victims was the same suspect in both incidents. Anyone with information about this suspect’s identity or his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Investigator Perez of the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling 760–863–8447 or the Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951–776–1099. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Valley Crimestoppers at (760) 341–7867.
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