Full Notification

VICTIM:  2 Female Adults

SUSPECT:  Heriberto Romero, 10-28-81

LOCATION:  37700 Tierra Subida Avenue, Palmdale “Pelona Vista Park” Running Trail Along the California Aqueduct, Palmdale

UNIT:  Special Victims Bureau – Sergeant Hudson

NARRATIVE:  Detectives from the Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau have been investigating a series of sexual assaults of female joggers in the city of Palmdale during the past nine months.  The investigation culminated during the evening hours of September 22, 2015, with the arrest of Suspect Heriberto Romero, a 33-year-old resident of Palmdale. 

The first incident reported to the Sheriff’s Department occurred on January 17, 2015, at approximately 9:30 P.M.  A 20-year-old female was attacked and sexually assaulted by the suspect while she was jogging at Pelona Vista Park in Palmdale.  The suspect approached the victim from behind and threw her to the ground.  Despite the victim’s attempts to fight off the suspect, he began to sexually assault her.  Fortunately the suspect stopped his assault after hearing or seeing someone in the park’s parking lot.

Detectives identified Heriberto Romero as a suspect in that case.  However, at the time, there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

The second incident occurred on September 15, 2015, at 5:30 P.M.  A 24-year-old female was jogging along the California Aqueduct in Palmdale when the suspect, who was hiding behind bushes, jumped out in front of her, threw her to the ground, and forcibly held her down. The suspect then sexually assaulted the victim.  The victim began to fight back against the suspect, which resulted in the suspect ending his assault and fleeing the location.

On September 22, 2015, detectives identified Heriberto Romero as the suspect in this most recent assault.  He was arrested by detectives during the evening hours.  He was booked at Palmdale Sheriff’s Station on charges of Kidnapping and Assault with the Intent to Commit Rape.  He is currently in custody with a bail of one million dollars. 

Detectives believe there may be additional victims in relation to this suspect.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-LASD.

Forwarded by:

Ryan Rouzan, Deputy

Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 

Hall of Justice - First floor  

211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-229-1700
Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org

Recruitment LASD: http://www.careers.lasd.org 
Follow LASD HQ via Text and Email: http://www.Nixle.com
https://nixle.com/lasd---los-angeles-county-sheriffs-dept-information-bureau-sib/  

Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ
Twitter: @LASDtalk https://twitter.com/LASDTalk
Twitter: @LASDvideos https://twitter.com/LASDvideos
Twitter: @LASDespanol https://twitter.com/LASDespanol
Facebook LASD HQ http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Instagram LASD Photos: http://instagram.com/LASDHQ

Pinterest LASD Photos : http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
SNAP LA County: Specific Needs Disaster Voluntary Registryhttp://snap.lacounty.gov/

Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system
http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla

Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept Information Bureau (SIB)" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.

"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department