County Cop Arrested In Case Of 405 Motorist Groped During Traffic Stop (Updated)

A Los Angeles County Police officer was arrested in a case of sexual assault we told you about earlier this week in which a woman was pulled over on the 405 freeway and allegedly groped, the California Highway Patrol announced Friday. (Update): The CHP late Friday afternoon identified the suspect as Michael Dee Clark, who was arrested about 8 p.m. Thursday.

KTLA News reports that the cop was already being monitored at by authorities when the woman came forward. She told La Opinion newspaper that she was pulled over for speeding in the dark hours early March 31 near Lennox and subsequently had her breasts and crotch grabbed by an officer who also allegedly kissed her. She did not put up a fight, she said, because she is in the country illegally. She only wanted to be quoted under the name Fabiola.

The suspect was on-duty when he pulled the woman over, according to the CHP. The woman went to La Opinion first and an inquiry was opened after a reporter for the paper contacted law enforcement for comment.

Sheriff's officials who, along with the CHP, investigated the incident initially believed the cop was one of theirs: "Apparently a sheriff's patrol [unit] was involved," a sheriff's Lennox station lieutenant told La Opinion. "We will investigate based on the information she provided us."

The county department is being absorbed by the sheriff's department, a transition that will be complete by June 30.

The suspect's name was expected to be released at a Friday afternoon press conference being held by the CHP. Authorities want to know about any other possible victims and asked anyone with information about the case to call the CHP at (323) 259-2010.

-With reporting from Weekly wire services. Got news? Email us.