A 27-year-old man suspected of a violent sexual assault against a woman in North Hollywood was taken into custody Monday, prompting police to begin an investigation into identifying other potential victims.
Officers received notification at approximately 8:30 p.m. July 19 that the victim was walking home from a gym on the pedestrian bridge at Laurel Grove Avenue and Valleyheart Drive moments before being accosted and approached from behind by the suspect, who grabbed her by the hair, forcefully pulled her to the ground, and sexually assaulted her by penetrating her with a foreign object, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police said a witness had interrupted the assault, causing the suspect to flee before the attack potentially escalated further.
Detectives assigned to the North Hollywood Community Police Station immediately began an extensive investigation, during which more than 50 businesses and locations were searched to review surveillance footage and to follow leads, police said.
A community alert flyer was released on July 29, and with assistance from the media and the public, detectives received multiple tips that led to the suspect’s identification on Friday.
Rodrigo Melgar was located at approximately 10 a.m. Monday by North Hollywood detectives, with assistance from Metropolitan Division personnel, who executed a search warrant and took him into custody on Burbank Boulevard, west of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, in Woodland Hills.
Melgar was booked on suspicion of sexual penetration with a foreign object.
Due to the nature of the assault, detectives believe there may be potential additional victims or witnesses who have not come forward, noting that Melgar is known to frequently utilize public transportation, including buses as his primary source of transit.
Anyone with information regarding the assault or who may have encountered Melgar was urged to call the LAPD North Hollywood Detective Division at 818-8300. Calls during non-business hours or weekends should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.