By Lookout Staff

June 28, 2010 -- The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) is seeking the public’s assistance to identify and locate a suspect involved in three sexual assaults.

SMPD officials say the suspect rides his bicycle next to the victims. As he passes them, the suspect grabs their buttocks, breast or genital area. The suspect is described as a Latin male age 20 to 30. He is 5 ft., 8 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. The suspect is unshaven and wears a short-sleeved chef’s coat and pants with a small black and white checkered pattern. The suspect was possibly riding a 10-speed bicycle.

The reported assaults occurred on June 22 at 4:09 p.m. in the area of 14th and Santa Monica Boulevard and on June 24 at 11 a.m. in the area of 2nd and Strand streets.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Duane Hicks at 310-458-8983, Sgt. Ira Rutan at 310-458-8959 or the SMPD’s 24-hour line at 310-458-8495.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME. Callers could be eligible for a reward if the information leads to an arrest and conviction. Anonymous tips can also be made by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS through voice or text and at www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters could qualify for a $1,000 reward by Crime Stoppers.