Security guard arrested for alleged multiple sexual assaults
Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Operations-West Bureau’s Special Assault Section (SAS) are seeking additional victims and witnesses in a series of sexual assaults in the Koreatown area.
On September 29, 2023, a 20-year-old woman reported that she was abducted and sexually assaulted by a suspect, later identified as 38-year-old Matthew Scott Reyes, in the area of 3rd Street and Western Avenue. Reyes, a male Filipino with brown eyes and black hair, was subdued by a passerby and had to be hospitalized due to the injuries he sustained. When the officers arrived at scene, Reyes was taken into custody by LAPD Olympic Area patrol officers.
Detective follow-up investigations linked Reyes to two other sexual assaults in the area, in the previous month. On October 4, 2023, SAS detectives arrested Reyes and on October 6, 2023, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed six felony counts against Reyes, including two counts each of rape, forced oral copulation, and robbery. Reyes remains in custody with a bail of $1.5 million.
Investigators identified three women whom Reyes assaulted, but believe there are others who have yet to come forward. A photograph of Reyes is being released in hopes to identify and speak with additional persons who may have been victimized.
Reyes’s hair is shaved on the sides and worn in a ponytail with the tip dyed red. Reyes stands five feet nine inches tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He was employed as a security guard and may have worn a dark clothing resembling a security uniform during the assaults. At the time of his arrest, he was driving a white Toyota Corolla.
“He preyed upon young women by luring them into a false sense of security before he shockingly attacked them,” said Detective Asia Hodge, Officer-in-Charge of SAS. “Tragically, victims like that are often too shaken up to come forward and report what happened because they’re afraid of retaliation. Now that he’s off the streets, we hope they’ll feel comfortable speaking up and putting a stop to this.”
Detectives are requesting that anyone with information that could lead to the identification of additional victims or witnesses to contact LAPD’s Operations-West Bureau, Special Assault Section, at 213-473-0447. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS 800-222-8477. – L.A. Police Department
