A reported sexual assault at a grocery store in Winnetka on Sunday has left a local woman shaken and raised fresh concerns about safety for shoppers across Los Angeles County.
The woman, identified only as Monica, said the encounter happened inside a Vallarta supermarket. According to her account, a man approached and claimed there was something on her back, offering to help remove it. Instead, she says, his behavior quickly turned inappropriate.
Monica described the moment as confusing and deeply unsettling, saying she initially tried to understand what was happening before realizing the man was touching her in a way that made her uncomfortable. Once it became clear, she began yelling for help and drew attention from others nearby.
A witness in the store, Jason Parillo, said he heard loud shouting and saw the situation unfold as the suspect made his way out. He described the man as agitated, raising his voice and using profanity while leaving. Parillo also noted that the woman appeared visibly frightened during the incident.
The suspect left the store before law enforcement arrived, and it remains unclear whether he has been identified or apprehended.
Officials have not yet provided details about any security measures at the location, and inquiries have been made to the store for further information.
The case comes shortly after another reported incident in Los Angeles County. In that situation, authorities say a man allegedly exposed himself and assaulted a woman inside a Whole Foods store in Valencia on March 23 before fleeing the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.