Community tips have led to the arrest of a man in connection with Tuesday’s kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old at El Sereno Park, the Los Angeles Police Department said Wednesday.
Police identified the suspect as Los Angeles resident Edward William Banks, 27. Hollenbeck officers located Banks in the 2500 block of Mallory Street Tuesday evening.
Surveillance video released by LAPD shows Banks allegedly kidnapping the 14-year-old in the 4700 block of Klamath Street. Banks can be seen with his arm draped over the victim’s shoulder while walking down the street.
According to police, Banks threatened the 14-year-old with a weapon and forced the child into a bathroom where he then proceeded to sexually assault the victim.
Banks was arrested and booked for aggravated kidnapping to commit rape and bail was set at $1,000,000.
