Man matching description of suspect who sexually assaulted child returns to same Linda Vista home – NBC 7 San Diego

WARNING: This story may contain disturbing details. Discretion is advised.

A man matching the description of a sexual assault suspect who entered a Linda Vista home last week and assaulted a 5-year-old girl returned to the same home Sunday morning, according to San Diego police.

Police began an investigation after a man allegedly sexually assaulted a sleeping girl in his Linda Vista home, in the 2800 block of Welling Street, around 1:45 a.m. April 18.

Around 3:25 a.m. Sunday, a man matching the description of the previous suspect was seen on surveillance footage returning to that same home and attempting to re-enter the property, San Diego police said.

The man was unable to enter the home and residents remained safe, police added.

Police are asking for help identifying the suspect, who appears to be a man in his 20s with dark hair. He was seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt with a light print on the left sleeve and an unknown image on the front of the hoodie. The suspect was seen wearing light-colored sweatpants, dark shoes, carrying a backpack and riding a bicycle.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or video surveillance in the area is encouraged to call the Child Abuse Unit at 619-531-2210 or the SDPD non-emergency line at 619-531-2000.

Police are still searching for the suspect but only have a vague description. NBC 7’s Shandel Menezes has more on how neighbors are reacting to news of the crime.

The initial incident

During the first encounter, police said the man entered the home through an unlocked door and “fondled” the 5-year-old girl, according to San Diego Police Department officials and a spokesperson from the city of San Diego.

The girl screamed when she woke up, alerting her parents, SDPD Lt. Michael Swanson said.

A neighbor told NBC 7 the community was military housing. Authorities urged the community to be vigilant and keep doors and windows locked.

Adriana Geiwitz stays nearby to take care of her grandchildren. She says there are a lot of kids in the community and when they all come home from school, they flood the streets and ride their bikes in the park. Her 10-year-old granddaughter is one of them.

“She used to leave and then come back when it got dark. That’s how safe it is here. It was,” Geiwitz said.

The other next door neighbor, Lacy Chavez, has a 10-year-old child of her own. Chavez said his family heard nothing during the night.

“We do the best we can for our kids,” Chavez said. “There is no one to blame for this except the one who did it.”

Both neighbors told NBC 7 they were in the process of getting security cameras after the incident. Chavez said they “never needed it” before.

“We ordered them this morning. A little too late, but we received them,” Geiwitz said.

No further information was immediately provided.

This is a developing story. Details may change as information is released.

NBC 7’s Shandel Menezes contributed to this report.