The Los Angeles Police Department put out an urgent plea today for the public's help in finding a serial kidnapper believed responsible for abducting and attempting to sexually assault at least four young girls.

The incidents have occurred over the last year in neighborhoods west of downtown Los Angeles, and in some cases the assailant has taken photos of his victims. [Updated at 6:08 p.m.: An earlier version of this post said the incidents occurred in neighborhoods east of downtown Los Angeles.]

The kidnapper allegedly lured the girls into apartment buildings and attempted to sexually assault them in secluded areas, police said.

Det. Monica Cross said the assailant gained entry to the apartment buildings by waiting for residents to leave.

"He has an appetite for young girls," said acting LAPD Chief Michael Downing.

The latest case occurred Wednesday when the assailant lured a girl walking to school near the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Commonweath Avenue.

Dubbed by police as the "Spikey Hair Sexual Assault Suspect," the assailant is described as a Latino man between 25 and 45 years old, 5 feet 6, weighing 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.