Sketch of Man Suspected of Groping Girl Walking to School Released

A 10-year-old girl was fondled by a man believed to be in his 50s as she walked to school in El Monte and police have released a sketch of her attacker.

The girl was alone at the corner of Tyler Avenue and Dodson Street at 7:15 a.m. Friday, 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 got into a silver four-door compact car, possibly a Toyota Corolla, and fled, 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 asked to call El Monte police at (626) 580-2144 or 911. Tips can also be emailed to tips@empd.org. All tips can be made anonymously.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of the El Monte Police Department