$50,000 REWARD SET IN ATTACK 'PREDATOR' MAY BE CULPRIT IN EARLIER MOLESTATION.

Byline: Josh Kleinbaum Staff Writer

NORTHRIDGE - A ``predator'' who abducted and raped a 7-year-old girl on Oct. 4 may have attacked a 6-year-old girl four years ago, police said Monday as they announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

In both incidents, a man with white or gray hair kidnapped a young girl as she played in front of her house in the west San Fernando Valley, officials said. He forced each girl into a dark-colored pickup truck, covered her head with a towel, drove her to a house or apartment, sexually assaulted her and then released her several hours later.

``Unfortunately, we have a predator who is living among us and victimizing our children,'' Deputy Chief Michel Moore, the Valley Bureau's commanding officer, said at a news conference.

``This is a type of mentality that doesn't stop. We believe there is a constant threat.''

In the earlier incident, the girl was abducted about 8:15 p.m. May 21, 2001, near Criswell Street and Kentland Avenue in Canoga Park, then dropped off later at Tony Avenue and Calvert Street in Woodland Hills.

In the Oct. 4 abduction, the victim was forced into the pickup truck near Sunnybrae Avenue and Michale Street in Winnetka at 5:30 p.m. She was dropped off at 21604 Roscoe Blvd. at 11:50 p.m.

``In both cases, the victim was playing outside the house, being supervised on and off by their parents,'' said Detective Jesse Alvarado.

``It happened so quickly. You could be outside, and go inside to answer the phone, come back out and she's gone. That's what happened in both of these incidents.''

Detectives released a composite sketch of the man, who is believed to be a Latino with gray or white hair, green or brown eyes, 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-7 and a thin build. He speaks English with a Spanish accent, is believed to be between the ages of 40 and 50 and told one victim his name was George.

``This is one of the most heinous crimes,'' said Councilman Greig Smith, who helped secure the funding for the reward from the City Council. ``There's evidence to believe that this person has lived in this community for a number of years and may be easily identified.''

Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call Alvarado at [phone].

Josh Kleinbaum, [phone]

josh.kleinbaum(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

This is a police sketch taken from the description of a suspected child molester who struck Oct. 4.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer