Police seek help in finding man who attacked prostitute

Karen Zekan

Thursday, March 26, 1998 | 10:48 a.m.

Metro Police are seeking the public's help in finding a man who tried to kill a prostitute earlier this month -- a case with odd similarities to another woman's murder in February.

The prostitute has assisted Metro's police artist in producing a rendering of her attacker. He has been described as a white male, 38, 5 feet 9, 180 pounds, with brown hair. He is believed to be driving a full-sized truck, possibly a Chevrolet, with gray interior and dusty gray tinted windows. The truck may also have had a silver-colored tool box mounted in the bed.

The suspect attempted to strangle the victim soon after she had entered his truck March 8 about 10:45 p.m. in the 1700 block of S. Mojave Road. Sgt. Ken Hefner said the victim managed to escape and reported the incident to police.

Cynthia Oquist wasn't as lucky. The prostitute involved in the March 8 incident believes the man who attacked her was the same man she last saw her friend Oquist with. Oquist's body was discovered Feb. 6 in the desert area of Las Vegas Wash and Vegas Valley Drive. An autopsy determined Oquist had been strangled.

Anyone with information on the suspect's identity or either of the crimes is asked to call the homicide section at 229-3521. Anonymous tips can be placed with Secret Witness. Tipsters may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.

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