$100,000 reward in case of Los Angeles serial rapist on the run since 1996, report says

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department are offering a $100,000 reward in the case of an alleged serial rapist linked to 35 sexual assaults spanning more than 17 years, reports CBS Los Angeles.

The reward is for information leading to the identity, arrest and prosecution of the suspect who committed the assaults between 1996 and 2012, according to the station.

Police say the suspect, who some victims report has a tattoo of a tear on his face, left behind DNA in 10 of 35 attacks.  Authorities say no clues emerged after the DNA was entered into a national database.

The station reports the suspect would walk up to a victim and engage in small talk before pulling out a knife or a firearm. He would then take them to a desolated area and sexually assault them. The station reports all the victims were between 15 and 44 years old.

LAPD Capt. Billy Hayes said 32 attacks occurred in the city and 3 in unincorporated areas just outside the city.

CBS Los Angeles says the suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 40 to 55-years-old, standing between 5'2 and 5'6'', and weighing between 130 and 170 pounds.

He has reportedly been dubbed the "teardrop rapist" after victims described him as possibly having a tattoo or a scar right below his eyes. He has also been seen with a mustache.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the LAPD at (877) LAPD-27-7