COLDWATER CANYON—The Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys Area is asking for the public’s assistance to locate additional victims of an indecent exposure suspect. According to the LAPD Blog, on April 22 at 10:30 a.m., the suspect who has been identified as Kent Swift, was driving a white van in the area of Ventura Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon. He spotted several girls (ages 3-7) playing in the outdoor eating area of a restaurant. Swift negotiated a U-turn and pulled along the curb in front of where the children were playing, and was seen masturbating in his car watching the children play.
After a few minutes, Swift relocated to the rear parking lot of the business and was able to get closer to the small kids while still masturbating in his vehicle. A witness, who saw the incident, informed one of the parents as to what she spotted the suspect doing. A parent of the small children appears to come into view and escorts the small children inside of the restaurant to a safe location away from the suspect.
After an intense canvassing of the neighborhood for video and along with the public’s help, Van Nuys detectives identified Swift as the suspect. On April 25, Swift was arrested. Due to the nature of the crime, and the extensive criminal history with respect to Swift, detectives believe that he may have targeted other victims in the surrounding area.
Anyone with information on additional crimes that may have been committed by the same suspect is asked to call Van Nuys Area, Los Angeles Police Department, at (818) 374-9500. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may visit ww.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
