LOS ANGELES—On Tuesday, January 27, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that they arrested a suspect around 3:45 p.m., Joseph Lee Davis, 30, in the area of 6th Street and San Julian Street. He was booked for Attempted Rape, 664/261(a)(2) Penal Code, under Booking No. 7170726. Davis is known as a sex offender.
The LAPD reported on January 25, around 5 p.m., a female victim was inside her place of business near 8th Street and Main Street when the suspect entered and began searching for items to take. The suspect opened a door to a separate room and discovered the victim inside. When the victim yelled at the suspect to leave, the suspect attempted to restrain her, knocking her to the ground. The suspect closed the door behind them, attempted to remove the victim’s pants, grabbed and sexually assaulted her.
The victim defended herself and was able to escape the room, where she sought help from neighboring businesses. The suspect was escorted out of the business and fled the location.
The incident was captured on closed-circuit television, which investigators used to identify the suspect. The victim positively identified the suspect as David Joseph.
Joseph has a prior sexual battery conviction that requires him to register as a sex offender. Investigators determined that he failed to comply with registration requirements and is currently an unregistered sex offender. Joseph was wanted for 664/261(a)(2) of the California Penal Code – Attempted Rape.
Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Area are seeking the public’s assistance to identify additional victims and locate a wanted sexual assault suspect. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of David Joseph, or who has details related to this investigation, is asked to contact Central Area Sex Detectives at 213-996-1837. During non-business hours or weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.
