Detectives Hunt Child Annoyance Suspect In Santa Clarita
SANTA CLARITA (CBSLA.com) — Authorities are on the hunt for a suspect or suspects in two separate cases of child annoyance in Santa Clarita.
On Friday, officials released photos of the suspect in one of the cases.
Deputies assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Station spoke with a 16-year-old female who told them that she was putting gas in her car in the area of Pico Canyon and The Old Road around 2:15 p.m. on May 27th when she was approached by a black male driving a later model black vehicle.
The man -- described as approximately 25-years-old, 6 feet tall with a thin build -- asked the teen if she was still in high school.
She said when she responded "Yes," the man followed her as she walked away. She said he also continued to stare at her. The teen told police she was very uncomfortable with the encounter. She said the man eventually got in his car and drove away.
Police released surveillance videos from that incident.
Detectives said they were also investigating another incident of child annoyance, possibly involving the same suspect.
On Friday May 23, at approximately 8:10 a.m., a 13-year-old girl walking to school in the area of Honby Street and Cedarcreek Street, said a black male in a car asked if she needed a ride.
The girl said she turned around and began walking in the opposite direction when the male turned around as well. The teen told police she ran to a nearby friend's house as she began to fear the man in the car was following her.
When she ran, the driver fled the scene, she said.
At this time, officials said both incidents are under active investigation. Detectives are unsure if the incidents are related or if there are one or two separate suspects.
If you recognize the man captured on surveillance video, you're asked to call Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Detective Campbell at (661) 255-1121 or at dwcampbe@lasd.org.
If you would like to remain anonymous, you're asked to call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
