Suspect in Custody, Police Seek Victim

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police believe a woman was sexually assaulted in the women's restroom of a local café and art gallery last Sunday, October 15, 2006.  While the suspect, 19-year-old Kenneth Williams, remains in custody, detectives need to find their victim.

"Until we find the victim, we have her listed as a Jane Doe," said Lieutenant Paul Vernon.  "We think the victim was taken by a friend to a local hospital.  We're hoping either the friend, or the victim herself, will come forward."

Witnesses saw the suspect follow the victim into a restroom around 2 AM after the two had danced.  It's believed Williams tried to rape the woman, but he ran from the restroom when the woman resisted.  Security officers held him for police.  The victim was gone when police arrived.

Witnesses described the victim as a Black woman in her mid-twenties. She was about 5 feet 7 inches tall with braided hair.  She was wearing blue jeans, a brown shirt, and black boots at the time of the crime.

"It's a little unusual to hold a person for attempted rape without a victim," Vernon said.  "But we have a very serious crime here, and a judge has agreed with our assessment." 

Williams' bail was set at $100,000.

The assault occurred at the Good Hood Café and Urban Art Gallery, located at 4019 West Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles.

Detectives have not released the suspect's photograph out of concern for compromising the victim's identification of the suspect in the event she is located.

Anyone with information about the victim is asked to call Wilshire Detective Roger Klohr at 213-473-0447.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).