Oxnard Flasher Believed To Have Escalated To Assault

OXNARD (CBSLA.com) — Police asked for the public's help Thursday to find a man who tried to grab a 14-year-old girl and may have exposed himself to other girls in the area.

Officers were called to the area of La Canada Avenue and San Simeon on Sept. 22 at 8:40 a.m. to investigate a report of an assault, Oxnard police officials said.

The victim, a 14-year-old girl, told officer she was walking to school when a gray four-door sedan pulled up next to her and asked for directions. The girl told the man driving the car she didn't know where the street he asked about was located and continued walking.

The driver exited the car and grabbed the girl around her waist and tried to take her down to the ground as he yelled for her to get down, police said. The girl screamed for help and fought back, and the man covered her mouth with his hand to keep her from screaming.

Police say the man let go of the girl when he saw a woman walk by the alley and look at them, then ran to his car and fled the area.

While investigating the assault, Oxnard police Detective Tenille Chacon determined the same man may have been behind other reports of indecent exposure. However, in those incidents, the suspect never made physical contact with the victims.

Anyone with information about the suspect or believes they may be a victim can contact Detective Chacon at (805) 385-3922.