Woman Groped By Man While Walking In Half Moon Bay: Police

HALF MOON BAY, CA — Peninsula authorities are searching for a man who groped a woman over the weekend while she was walking along a trail in Half Moon Bay, according to the sheriff's office.

The woman called 911 to report the groping around 7 p.m. Saturday, telling dispatchers a man with a bicycle touched her inappropriately just south of Smith Field Park. The woman told deputies she was walking east on the trail when the man rode past her, dismounted from his bike, and grabbed her. She screamed, and the suspect fled on his bike.

She described the suspect as a Hispanic man wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt, black shorts and tall black socks.

The sheriff's office said it would place more deputies in the area while detectives continue investigating the incident.

"Those who frequent trails are encouraged to have heightened awareness of their surroundings," the sheriff's office wrote Monday. "Trailgoers should consider walking, hiking, and riding with others if possible. And as always, if you see something suspicious, report it to the sheriff's office or other local authorities immediately."

Anyone with information that could help identify the suspect can contact detectives at 650-363-4060.