LAPD tries to track serial rapist tied to 35 attacks on women Serial rapist: More photos The Los Angeles Police Department is taking a novel approach in trying to capture the Teardrop Rapist, who detectives believe is responsible for attacking 35 women since 1996. Robbery Homicide Division Capt. Bill Hayes said the rapist has struck from Hollywood to South L.A.'s Manchester Boulevard, but a geographic analysis has determined that he may live near the Coliseum. Detectives last week canvassed the area bounded by Exposition Boulevard to the north, 50th Place to the south, Denker Avenue to the west, and the 110 Freeway to the east. They handed out thousands of fliers. Alvarado said the victims were 14 to 41 years old, and 33 of them were Latina. PHOTOS: Police seek "Teardrop Rapist" Los Angeles Police Det. Jesse Alvarado said the latest victim appears to be a 29-year-old woman who was walking to work alone about 5:30 a.m. June 15 when she was approached by a man wearing a hoodie on Naomi Avenue near 25th Street. After trying to talk to her, the man stuck a handgun in her face and forced her into an alley, where he attempted to sexually assault her. But the man became frightened when a vehicle pulled into the alley, and he fled on foot. "The early morning, a woman alone and everything else suggests this is the man known as the Teardrop Rapist," said Alvarado, who added that previous victims believe they saw a teardrop or mark near one of the attacker's eyes. He is an opportunist. Many of his attacks are attempts because he flees the minute there is a chance he'll get caught. That is what has made him so hard to catch. The serial rapist has been linked to 35 attacks in Los Angeles dating to February 1996, Alvarado said. Investigators say 11 attacks have been linked to the rapist through DNA alone and the remainder by other evidence. He says the LAPD recently reexamined older cases and identified eight robberies that they now attribute to the rapist. The assailant is described as Latino with brown eyes and brown hair, 5-foot-2 to 5-foot-6, and 130 to 170 pounds. However, investigators acknowledge differing descriptions because of a variety of caps and bandannas. He typically carries a gun and targets early morning walkers but has been known to wield a knife, Alvarado said. "He flees on foot but may get there by bus or car," he added. As to the teardrop, scar or mole on his face, the two most recent victims did not see it, Alvarado said. In those cases, the attacker kept his face covered. A $50,000 reward is being offered in the case. Detectives ask anyone with information to email rhd-sas@lapd.lacity.org or call (877) LAPD-24-7. Woman's body found on railroad tracks in Vernon NFL's Eric Wright arrested in L.A. on felony DUI charge Granada Hills robbery suspects crash getaway car; 1 arrested Richard Winton Photo: Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese discusses the investigation of the "Teardrop Attacker" at a press conference in April. Credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times