Chinese consulate in Los Angeles condemns sexual assault against preteen traveler from China

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Consulate General of China in Los Angeles Saturday condemned crime against juveniles, urging to bring to justice a criminal who sexually assaulted a preteen girl from China on Wednesday in Covina, about 30 km east of downtown Los Angeles.

"We contacted with local police department at the first time after we received information. We have got some information about the case and urged police to arrest the criminal as soon as possible," an official of the consulate told Xinhua.

The consulate also provided help to the tour group from China whose member suffered the sexual assault, the official said.

According to a press release from Covina Police Department, a suspect Wednesday night forced into a room in Vanllee Hotel and Suites in Covina, where two preteen girls from China stayed and assaulted one of them before fled the scene.

"The suspect depicted drove through a hotel parking lot until he saw a lit room with drapes open in the evening hours. The suspect parked his truck facing the interior of the hotel room. Two minors were inside of the hotel room," the press release read.

The suspect stood outside of the preteens' hotel window and pretended to be on the phone for over 30 minutes before forced into their room "once the minors opened the door believing it was their chaperone."

The suspect, wearing suit with a blue and white striped shirt at that time, was described as a male, stocky build, balding with hair around his ears, a short beard, and prescription glasses.

The CBSLA news channel reported the suspect was Douglas Rivera, 50, a local pastor, who is still on large so far.

In a video posted to social network Instagram Friday night, Rivera, recording from inside a vehicle, tried to vindicate himself, saying the accusations against him were a misunderstanding.

"I did not do nothing wrong. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time," Rivera said, "Something happened in that hotel, and that's the simple answer. I am just finished with my lawyer. I am going to jail on Wednesday with the lawyer to submit myself so they could continue their investigation. There is absolutely no truth."

But police said Rivera had not surrendered himself or contacted detectives as he said in the video.

Covina police Rick Walczak was quoted by CBSLA as saying that Rivera's promise to turn himself in to police was "self-serving and an attempt to mislead people." Enditem