PALMDALE – If you recognize the man in these images and know where he may be hiding, then local detectives would like to hear from you.

The man is accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in a Denny’s restaurant bathroom on New Years Day. According to a statement by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau:

On Wednesday afternoon, January 1, 2014, the suspect entered the women’s restroom of a restaurant located in the 37000 block of 47th Street East, Palmdale. He attacked a young girl who was also in the restroom and sexually assaulted her as she exited one of the stalls. The suspect stopped his assault when another person entered the bathroom, and fled the location. The suspect is described as a male White, 18-20 years old, 5’8” tall, 150 pounds, blonde hair, walks with a noticeable limp, and may be a transient.

At the time of the assault, the victim had been in Denny’s having a meal with her family before going to the restroom, according to Special Victims Bureau Detective Brian Hudson.

“As she was exiting the stall washing her hands is when [the suspect] entered the restroom,” Hudson said. “We’re not going to get specific, but she was sexually assaulted.”

The restaurant’s video surveillance system recorded the suspect entering the restaurant. The images were circulated to people in the area, who said the suspect may be a transient, Hudson said.

“They’ve seen him around panhandling,” Hudson said, adding that the incident was the first of that type reported in the area.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or dangerous suspect is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-5273. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

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