San Gabriel Valley Girl Groped Walking to School

A 10-year-old girl was fondled by a man as she walked to school in El Monte on Friday morning, police said.

The girl was alone at the corner of Tyler Avenue and Dodson Street about 7:15 a.m. when a man approached her and began speaking to her in Spanish, according to El Monte police Sgt. Roger Cobain.

“The girl did not want to speak to the suspect and began to walk away from him,” Cobain said. “The suspect came up behind the girl and hugged her while fondling her breast area over her clothing.”

The suspect was scared off when a school bus arrived, Cobain said.

He then entered a silver four-door compact car, possibly a Toyota Corolla, and left the scene, Cobain said.

A sheriff’s sketch artist worked with the girl to create a drawing of the man, who is described as Hispanic, 50-60 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall with a medium build, black and gray hair and facial pock marks. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.

Extra patrols have been added for all schools in the area, Cobain said.

Anyone with information about the suspect was urged to call El Monte police at (626) 580-2144. Tips can also be emailed to tips@empd.org.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock