LAPD Arrests Sexual Assault Suspect

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police have arrested a 48-year-old sexual assault suspect who attacked a hitchhiker in South Los Angeles.

 Last Saturday, Charles Reginald Cooks was arrested at his home in the 6600 block of 8^thAvenue.  He was charged with rape and is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail.

 On April 3 at around 2 a.m., Cooks picked up a female hitchhiker near Western Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard and drove her to a street near Koreatown where he sexually assaulted her inside of his van.  Fortunately, the victim was able to escape her assailant and call police. 

 Cooks is described as male black.  He has black hair, brown eyes, stands 5 feet 9 inches and weighs 210 pounds.  At the time of the assault, he was driving a dark green 1995 Dodge Caravan minivan with the license plate 3KNJ170.  The interior of the vehicle is gray and it has collision damage to the right front end.

 LAPD Operations-West Bureau sexual assault detail detectives suspect there might be more victims and are asking them to come forward.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call LAPD’s Operations-West Bureau Sexual Assault Detail detectives at 213-473-0447.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637.