Woman sexually assaulted in Old Pasadena alley

Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man they believed forcibly abducted a woman outside of an Old Pasadena bar and sexually assaulted her.

Police say the assailant -- described by the victim as a Latino in his 30s or 40s, 5-feet-8 and of medium build -- approached the woman from behind as she walked outside a bar about 11:30 p.m. Saturday near Colorado Boulevard and Holly Street to make a phone call.

The woman, who believed she was being robbed, initially complied with her attacker, Lt. Tracey Ibarra said. Police say the victim was then led to Legge Alley, where she was sexually assaulted and fled.

Ibarra said violent crime is rare in the Old Town section of Pasadena, a popular area for weekend bargoers.

“For something like this to have occurred in Old Town is quite unusual,” she said, adding that eight to 10 police officers typically patrol the area on weekends.

Police have been speaking with the owners of local bars and restaurants, as well as looking at security camera footage to see if the abduction or attack was caught on tape.

They also hope some of the thousands of people who packed the area’s bars Saturday night may remember seeing the attacker and will come forward.

“Someone may have seen the suspect walking with the victim and not have even realized it,” Ibarra said.

Investigators are working with the victim to create a composite sketch of the attacker, which they say should be released later this week.

Police are asking anyone who saw someone or something suspicious in the area that evening to contact Det. Schuyler Sandeen at ssandeen@cityofpasadena.net or (626) 744-7099, or Pasadena Police Department Dispatch at (626) 744-4241.

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