Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials are asking for the public’s help to identify a man who was involved in a sexual battery last week inside a Valencia grocery store.
A woman was approached March 23 while she was shopping at a location that Sheriff’s Station officials later confirmed as Whole Foods Market in Valencia.
“Detectives with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in an indecent exposure and sexual battery case that occurred on (March 23)… between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. in Valencia,” according to the Sheriff’s Station statement.
“The suspect allegedly exposed himself and inappropriately touched the victim before leaving the location,” according to the Sheriff’s Station alert that was sent Monday.
The suspect is described as a male in his 30s with black hair and brown eyes, approximately 6 feet, 1 inches tall and weighing around 220 pounds. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a denim shirt and jeans.
The victim told The Signal in an interview Monday that the experience has left her shaken, adding that she usually goes to the gym, the local coffee shop and shopping at the grocery store.
She hasn’t been back to the grocery store since.
“It’s been definitely a change,” she said in a phone interview Monday, “because my fear is that he’s still out there.” Part of the concern is because she saw the man whom she said committed the battery while she was leaving her car, she suspected he was filming her and the store had been part of a routine, she said.
“I just don’t feel safe right now,” she said.
“I also just want to point out to remind to women to scan your environment,” she said.
Screenshots and footage of the incident spread on social media over the weekend.
A source familiar with the investigation said Sheriff’s Station officials have been canvassing the area this week looking for security footage that might help identify the suspect.
Sheriff’s Station officials did not respond to questions in response to inquiries Friday and instead referred questions and comments to the Nixle alert they issued Monday.
“The investigation is ongoing. At this time, detectives are not aware of any other similar cases reported in the Santa Clarita area,” according to station officials.
Anyone who may recognize this individual or who has information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Roxanne Hatami at 661-260-4000, ext. 5620. Those wishing to provide information anonymously may contact LA Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
