Police Chief John Welter (photo courtesy of Creative Commons).

Police asked for the public's help in finding a "serious, dangerous serial killer operating in Orange County" who is believed to be responsible for the killings that occurred between Dec. 20 and 30.

Anaheim Police Chief John Welter said the FBI has joined the investigation. Police have a vague description of the suspect from a surveillance video caught shortly before the first attack.

Police believe the killer is a male who wore a dark hooded sweatshirt. Officials are also looking for a white Toyota Corolla, model year 2000 to 2003, The Orange County Register reported. The car was seen in the surveillance video pulling out more than an hour before the attack, indicating to police the suspect may have laid in wait before approaching the victim.

Welter told The Orange County Register that although no connection other than the victims' homelessness has been found, "we believe these murders were likely committed by the same suspect and feel he is extremely dangerous to the public."

The first victim was James McGillivray, 53, found on Dec. 21 outside a Placentia shopping center. The second was Lloyd Middaugh, 42, found a week later on the Santa Ana River Trail in Anaheim. The third man was Paulus Smit, 57, found Dec. 30 outside a Yorba Linda library.

All three victims were stabbed while they slept alone. The Orange County Register reported that police have circulated fliers in the homeless community, encouraging homeless people to stay away from dark, isolated areas and to not be alone.

Police announced Tuesday that they have formed a task force to investigate the deaths.

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