Man wanted for two sex assaults in Deep Ellum

Dallas police want to identify and catch a sexual predator who attacked two women within an hour early Saturday.

Detectives say the suspect met one of the women in Deep Ellum and attacked the other as she walked home from Deep Ellum.

Surveillance video captured a glimpse of the man and the first victim Saturday about 2 a.m. Police say the woman, who was by herself in Deep Ellum, became comfortable enough with him to accept a ride from him. Investigators say she was attacked shortly afterward.

“He befriended her, gave her a false sense of security, was nice to her, gave her a ride home and that’s when the attack occurred,” said DPD Deputy Chief Thomas Castro. “We need to get this individual off the streets.”

That woman, according to police, jumped from the man's moving vehicle near Mockingbird Lane and Central Expressway. She managed to get help at a nearby business.

Police say the second victim was in Deep Ellum walking back into downtown just before 3 a.m. She was talking on her phone to her boyfriend when she was attacked near Elm and Harwood on the eastern side of downtown Dallas. Investigators said that woman's boyfriend was close by and ran to help her. The boyfriend fought with the suspect, but he got away.

Visitors and workers in Deep Ellum said they try to stay aware late at night.

"It's scary sometimes," said Kristen Nance, who frequents the area. "I think girls just don't need to walk by themselves anymore or at least have a guy or Lyft and Uber is like all that I do too."

Bosko Guard works in Deep Ellum and tries to watch out for his female co-workers.

"If it's a girl that's alone, I make sure they get to their destination safely -- if they're headed to their car or waiting for a Lyft," Guard said.

Police are hopeful that someone knows something, recognizes the suspect or saw the woman jump from his vehicle near Mockingbird and Central Expressway. Anyone with information should contact Detective Holmes of the Dallas Police Department Crimes Against Person Division at 214-671-3637 or alan.holmes@dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us.