At least two more victims in the South Bay have come forward since Manhattan Beach police issued a public notice about a cab driver who is being accused for sexual assault, authorities said on Friday.
Police are currently investigating to determine whether these cases involve the same suspect, Manhattan Beach Police Department detective Mike Rosenberger said.
“People have been calling, and at least two other police agencies have contacted MBPD about cases they had, probably not related to [this case] but showing us there’s definitely more of this going on than I was aware of,” Rosenberger said.
On Aug. 26, a Manhattan Beach woman filed a report to police claiming that a taxi driver grabbed her breasts in his cab a week prior. The victim came forward after she saw a news report of a similar offense in Redondo Beach, which had occurred two days prior to her own incident.
After more than three months of thorough investigation and witness interviews to identify the suspect, Manhattan Beach police arrested the Torrance resident on Nov. 21 on one count of sexual battery.
Police are withholding the suspect’s identity and the name of the cab company at this time so that witnesses and victims may be interviewed impartially, Rosenberger said.
“When the victim comes in, we show them a group of photographs [to identify the suspect],” he said. “We want to make sure their minds are not sullied or biased by a previous viewing of the image. We’re trying to be as fair as possible to the suspect.”
Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach Police Departments have been working together to investigate the case. The cab company has also been very cooperative, Rosenberger said.
After his arrest, the suspect posted bail for $20,000. He is due in court early January, Rosenberger said.
