ARREST IN CHILD ASSAULTS.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

WOODLAND HILLS - A registered sex offender who lives in his grandmother's garage and served prison time for raping a teenage girl was back in jail Wednesday on suspicion of abducting and sexually assaulting two San Fernando Valley girls.

Self-employed painter Michael Terry Ward, 51, was arrested at his 95-year-old grandmother's Berdon Street home, down the street from Francis Parker Middle School in Woodland Hills. His bail was set at $7 million.

Investigators said they have DNA evidence linking Ward to the abduction and sexual assault of a 7-year-old Winnetka girl who was taken from the sidewalk near Sunnybrae Avenue and Michale Street in October.

They also believe he abducted and sexually assaulted a 6-year-old girl in 2001. She was dropped off in a residential neighborhood and released. The two crimes occurred about six miles apart.

``It brings a terrible chapter to a close,'' said Michel Moore, the LAPD's Valley Bureau deputy chief. ``Unfortunately, we know there are more predators out there. We want to remind parents this holiday season to be vigilant of their precious commodities, their sons and daughters.''

The 7-year-old girl was forced into a pickup truck and driven to a residence, where she was sexually assaulted, police said. She was dropped off later that evening at Remmet Avenue and Roscoe Boulevard in Chatsworth. Officers found her after she wandered into a bar, and patrons there called the police.

Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department said they received 200 clues from the public that led them to Ward. They also had DNA they recovered from the 7-year-old that they matched to a state database.

Ward's bedroom was similar to the description given by the 7-year-old, police said. His dark blue pickup truck also matched her description, and the 6-year-old described the same blue truck.

Detective Jesse Alvarado from the LAPD's Robbery and Homicide Divisionsaid he believes Ward approached other children and that there could be more victims.

The suspect in the case originally was described as Latino. Alvarado explained that Ward might have used a disguise or an accent to confuse his victims.

``I believe it's not beyond this individual in making the child believe what he wanted,'' Alvarado said.

Ward is a registered sex offender convicted of raping a 17-year-old in 1983 in Ventura County. He served 11 years of his 16-year sentence.

According to the state's Megan's Law Web site, Ward is described as having several tattoos, including an eagle on his back, and on his right shoulder.

In Ward's neighborhood, residents said they were not aware he was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and assault of the two little girls, though some knew of his past conviction.

``He kept to himself,'' one neighbor said.

Meanwhile, police continue asking the public's help for any more information regarding Ward and other possible victims. The public is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery and Homicide Division at [phone].

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

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