Police Seek Tips on Assault Suspect

Authorities are seeking help in finding a man suspected of trying to sexually assault a 14-year-old girl last week in Port Hueneme.

Investigators say that the teenage girl was walking on the Bubbling Springs bike path south of Pleasant Valley Road about 10:30 a.m. July 23 when the man approached her and started a conversation. The man allegedly tried to kiss the girl. When she pulled away, he grabbed her from behind, forced her against a block wall and punched her several times in the face, authorities said.

During the struggle, the girl sustained severe injuries to her face, and the pair ended up in the intersection of Ventura and Pleasant Valley roads, according to investigators. A passing motorist identified only as “Oscar,� helped the girl get away from her attacker.

The girl was hospitalized for her injuries, authorities said.

The attacker is described as a Latino man in his late 20s, 5 foot 10, 190 pounds, with collar-length hair combed back and a goatee. He was wearing dark blue pants, a white T-shirt and a blue Nike jacket.

Anyone with information on the suspect, or the identity of Oscar, is asked to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 385-TALK. Tipsters do not have to give their names, and if the information leads to a conviction, they could receive rewards of up to $1,000.