LAPD and UCLA PD arrest 32-year-old man caught groping homeless woman
By Sam Catanzaro
Police arrested a man accused of over 20 sexual batteries in Westwood.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), on December 15 detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Division, Special Assault Section (SAS), in conjunction with the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Police Department arrested a serial sexual predator operating in the area around UCLA and Westwood Plaza.
According to the LAPD, the case involved a sexual predator who has been active since October 23, 2020 committing 23 misdemeanor sexual batteries in the West LA area.
“In almost all of the reported crimes, the suspect approached lone females from behind, fondled their breasts or buttocks and quickly fled from the scene. The suspect typically wore a hooded sweatshirt and a surgical type mask which concealed his face,” the LAPD said.
According to the LAPD, detectives from the UCLA Police Department were critical in obtaining the identity of a possible suspect.
“Although due to the nature of how the crime occurred and the way the suspect concealed his face, positive identification by victims had proved difficult. Undercover detectives from West LA’s Narcotics Enforcement Detail began to surveil the possible suspect, who was identified as Derrick Kim, a 32-year-old Los Angeles resident. While gathering information as to Mr. Kim’s movements, they observed him attack a 50-year-old female transient, by groping her breasts,” the LAPD said.
Kim was immediately taken into custody without incident, and booked at the Valley Jail for Sexual Battery. He remains in custody with a bail of $575,000.
Detectives anticipate that there are more victims who have not yet come forward. They are encouraged to call Robbery-Homicide Division at 213-486-6910 to report what occurred.
