Woman brutally beaten, sexually assaulted near Cedars-Sinai

Police are looking for a man who beat and sexually assaulted a woman who was walking near Cedars-Sinai Medical Center last weekend and are asking for the public's help.

The attack occurred Saturday about 3:30 a.m. when the man approached the woman on Burton Way between South Hamel Road and South Willaman Drive. He brandished a gun and demanded the victim's money and jewelry before he directed her to a secluded area nearby. There, police said, he severely beat and sexually assaulted her before fleeing the scene on foot.

Police have released a composite drawing of the suspect, described as a black man with dark hair in his mid-20s to mid-30s. He is between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot-1 and weighs 180 to 190 pounds. At the time of the attack, he was wearing a black, button-down collared shirt, dark pants and a baseball cap with a flat bill.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department at (213) 486-6910 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7 during non-business hours. Anonymous tips can be made to (800) 222-8477 or by texting 274637 with a cellphone, beginning with the letters "LAPD."

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-- Kate Mather

Photo: Composite sketch of suspect in beating, sexual assault of woman walking near Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Credit: Los Angeles Police Department