ENCINO (CNS) — A man was arrested on suspicion of attacking a female real estate agent at an Encino open house, according to police, who said other women have since come forward with similar allegations.
Alen Karaboghosian, 45, of Encino was taken into custody about 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and booked on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon and sexual battery, according to Los Angeles police. He was held on $130,000 bail.
Investigators had circulated security video of the attack, which
occurred about 3 p.m. Sunday at an undisclosed address.
“A 51-year-old Realtor was approached by the suspect during an open house and was violently struck and knocked to the ground,” according to an LAPD statement. “Thanks to critical information received from the public, investigators identified the suspect as Alen Karaboghosian.”
Plainclothes investigators from the LAPD’s Gang and Narcotics Division participated in a surveillance operation that led to Karaboghosian’s arrest.
“Since his arrest, additional victims have recognized Alen Karaboghosian and have come forward to report being the victim of additional physical or sexual assaults,” according to the LAPD statement.
NBC4 reported that after seeing the security video, two other real estate agents on Tuesday said they believed they had been groped by the same man at other open house events.
The agent who was attacked on Sunday told Channel 4 that she had seen the suspect at a previous open house and didn’t trust him, believing he was trying to lure her into a room.
Footage from a surveillance camera outside the front door showed that she stepped outside and said, “You saw the house. You’re done. That’s it.”
Then they shook hands before he allegedly shoved her with force, sending her falling into vegetation just outside the camera’s view, according to Channel 4.
The agent began screaming for help before she hit the ground. She said the man then leaned over her and put his hands on her chest before running off.
“I’m not really sure what I did,” she told the station. “All I remember was screaming so loud for help.”
The woman, who suffered cuts and bruises to her knee and back pain, was shaken by the experience.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she said. “I keep watching the video and crying.”
Anyone with information on the crime, or other possible victims, was urged to call detectives at 818-374-7717 or 818-374-7730. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.