Police Offer Reward for Suspect in Lake Merritt Sexual Assault

Bay City News—Oakland police are seeking the public's help in finding a man who sexually assaulted a woman in a public restroom in Lakeside Park near Lake Merritt earlier this month.

Police said that when the victim, a 45-year-old woman, walked into the public restroom at 666 Bellevue Ave., near Grand Avenue and Children's Fairyland, at about 8:15 p.m. on June 2 she was startled by a man who was already inside the restroom.

The woman turned around and began walking away but the man grabbed her from behind and sexually assaulted her, police said. The suspect left the scene after the sexual assault, according to police.

Police describe him as a black man in his 30s who is about 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighs roughly 210 pounds and has a heavy build, a dark complexion, brown eyes, black dreadlocks with brown tips, and a tattoo on the left side of his neck. They say he speaks with a Jamaican accent.

Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. Oakland police said anyone with information should contact their Youth and Family Services Division at (510) 238-3641 or the TIP LINE at (510) 637-0298.

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