Authorities Tuesday sought the public’s help to find the man who allegedly sexually assaulted an employee in the women’s bathroom of Petco’s Bell Gardens store.

The assault was reported about 4 p.m. Monday at the Petco in the 6800 block of Eastern Avenue, according to Lt. Efren Aguirre of the Bell Gardens Police Department.

The suspect, who was armed with scissors, “followed the victim to the restroom where he forced entry into the bathroom and sexually assaulted the victim,” Aguirre said.

The victim suffered injuries on her face, an arm and legs, according to Sgt. Angelo Sinisi.

She screamed for help and was able to fight the suspect off, Sinisi said. The suspect fled the store and was last seen walking toward Eastern Avenue.

KCAL9 reported that the victim was an employee of the Petco, and the suspect lingered around the restrooms for about 20 minutes before forcing his way into the bathroom.

The suspect is described as between 25 and 35 years old, between 5 feet, 4 inches tall and 5 feet, 6 inches tall, with a medium build and a flat-top style haircut, Aguirre said.

He was wearing a blue face mask, white T-shirt, dark-colored jeans, white shoes and thick-framed glasses, according to Aguirre.

Anyone with information about the suspect was urged to call Sinisi at 562-806-7694 or the Bell Gardens Police Department dispatch center at 562-806-7600.

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