Relatives hear girls’ screams, nab sex offender

They pin down an intruder in their San Bernardino home until police arrive.

The screams of two girls led family members to a convicted sex offender, who had sneaked into the teenagers’ bedroom and tried to sexually assault them, police said Tuesday.

Derek Lamont Fowler, 30, of Los Angeles was charged Tuesday in connection with burglary and lewd and lascivious acts with a child, according to San Bernardino County Superior Court records.

Fowler’s charges stem from a break-in and attack that occurred Thursday.

San Bernardino police said he had entered the backyard of the home in the 1500 block of West Evans Street shortly after 1 a.m. and climbed through the girls’ bedroom window.

Once he was inside the girls’ room, he tried to sexually assault them, police said.

Hearing the girls’ screams, several relatives burst into the bedroom and found Fowler inside, officials said.

They were able to overpower Fowler, who is 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 180 pounds, and held him until officers arrived and arrested him.

Fowler is a registered sex offender who had been living on the streets of San Bernardino for a few days, the Police Department said.

Fowler has multiple convictions and jail sentences, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

He was convicted in August 2010 of sexual battery and sentenced to 40 days in jail.

Fowler was ordered to serve three years’ probation. He was convicted twice of failing to register as a sex offender.

In June, Fowler pleaded no contest to an indecent exposure charge and was sentenced to 90 days in jail. He was ordered to serve three years’ probation.