Granada Hills

Man Arrested After Housekeeper Fends Off Attack

The alleged attacker was identified by police as 30-year-old Kevin William Lasz of Los Angeles.

A man who was arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a housekeeper at a home in Granada Hills has been identified, police said Friday.

The man, 30-year-old Kevin William Lasz of Los Angeles, allegedly attacked a woman in her 60s after forcing his way into a home on San Jose Street Wednesday night.

Surveillance video obtained from a neighbor showed the man holding onto his shorts and running away after the homeowner, Alice Gratias, said he forced his way into her house around 4:30 p.m. and sexually assaulted her housekeeper.

When Lasz allegedly tried to kiss the victim, she kicked him in the groin and he ran away. Detectives said he did not take any items from the home.

The victim opened the door when Lasz told her he was a neighbor and wanted to talk about recent break-ins in the area, according to police.

"He rang the doorbell and my housekeeper said 'Who is it?,' and he said, 'I'm Kevin, your neighbor,'" Gratias said.

Police believe Lasz also attempted to force his way into another home four blocks away in the 17000 block of Minnehaha Street just minutes earlier by asking to use the phone. The woman at that home refused and called 911, according to police.

“That woman was very wise -- and immediately separated herself and called 911,” said LAPD Det. Megan Aguilar.

Lasz was arrested within 24 hours of the attack, and on the same street just three blocks from Gratias' home, after the housekeeper provided police enough details to create a composite sketch and security camera images were released to the public.

Gratias said her housekeeper was understandably relieved to hear of the arrest.

"She's doing fine," Gratias said. "I called her and told her the good news and she said everybody's been calling and we're so happy."

Despite the arrest, the attack has left some Granada Hills residents on edge.

“The fact that he got in the house by lying, that's kinda scary because it could happen to anybody,” said neighbor Karina Ugalde.

Lasz was being held on $1 million bail on charges of assault with intent to commit rape during a burglary. He was previously convicted of child molestation, according to police.

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