(Oct. 29, 2008) -- Calling information provided by the community "critical to the successful conclusion" of their investigation, LBPD officials, joined by Mayor Bob Foster, announced the arrest of a LB man who allegedly attempted to lure young children...and in one case, allegedly attempted a lewd or lascivious act on a child.

At a midday news conference at LBPD HQ attended by L.A. market media outlets, LBPD said that after it released home surveilance video of a suspect [reported by multiple media outlets including LBReport.com], Detectives received a tip on Oct. 24 from a citizen, responded to the City of Torrance and contacted, questioned and took into custody Derek Christopher Nixon, 26, of Long Beach.

LBPD released image

"His vehicle, which matched the description of the suspect's vehicle, was impounded. A search warrant served at his Long Beach residence resulted in evidence being recovered," LBPD says in a release.

On Oct. 28, the L.A. County District Attorney's office filed one felony count of attempted lewd or lascivious acts and seven misdemeanor counts of annoying or molesting a child less than 18-years of age; the suspect is in L.A. County Jail with bail currently set at $240,000. The suspect is not a registered sex offender, LBPD says.

As previously reported by LBReport.com, in May 2008, and again on October 16, 2008, LBPD released home surveillance video and requested the public's help in ID'ing a suspect wanted in connection with four incidents involving the luring of children.

Asked how important the home surveillance video was, Sgt. Aaron Eaton of LBPD's Sex Crimes Detail told reporters that the home surveillance video was "a key" to their investigation because it showed a physical description, a hair style. There was more than one tipster, Sgt. Eaton indicated.

LBPD released image

"During the incidents, the suspect made contact with unsupervised children, showed them pornographic material and attempted to persuade them into a nearby alley. When unsuccessful, the suspect drove away," LBPD said.

LBPD says the incidents occurred at the dates and locations below:

Sgt. Eaton said that in one incident (a felony count charged), the suspect "was able to lure a child away from an area where the child was playing, got her into a secluded area and then [allegedly] attempted to do harm to her."

LBPD says its Detectives have learned that an additional crime, believed connected to these incidents, occurred on August 11, 2008 in the area of 19th St. and Gale Ave.

LBPD says it believes there may be additional victims or witnesses...and a release urges any additional victims to contact LBPD's Crime Tip Line at (562) 570-7878.

In its release, LBPD explicitly thanked the community for its cooperation. "The information that was provided was critical to the successful conclusion of this investigation," it said.