Police are investigating reports of a stranger in his sixties apparently stalking a 13-year-old student, on Wednesday afternoon offering her a ride home and on Thursday afternoon waving at her on a trail behind Walnut Creek Intermediate School.
The Wednesday incident took place across town near Tice Valley Boulevard and Crest Avenue in unincorporated Walnut Creek, according to a press release from the Walnut Creek Police Department, which is investigating the case along with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.
The white man is described as in his sixties with a medium build, short gray hair, a possible accent, high cheek bones and tanned skin, the WCPD reported. He was wearing a gray beanie with a red emblem on the front and possibly a short-sleeved shirt. On Wednesday, he was seen driving a faded red, older model compact sedan with a blue disabled placard hanging from the rearview mirror, police said. No license number was reported.
The following account comes from the WCPD press release prepared by Sgt. Tom Cashion:
At about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, the girl got off a school bus near Tice Valley Boulevard. As the bus pulled away, the man in the faded red car pulled up alongside the teen. The driver asked how far she had to walk and asked if he could give her a lift. He asked where she went to school and she told him WCI and gave her name. Then he asked where she lived, and the girl ran home and the driver sped off.
The Wednesday incident was reported to and investigated by the sheriff's office. An email was sent to WCI parents. Bus drivers were given the vehicle and subject description. WCI Principal Mike Cannon advised parents to remind children about not talking to strangers or giving out personal information, as reported in the Crazy in Suburbia blog.
On Thursday, as school let out around 3:05 p.m., the girl was walking on the pathway from WCI to Civic Drive. She saw the same man waiting by the back gate on Civic Drive, police reported. He waved. The girl ran back to the school and called her parents. She was positive it was the same man. A friend with her confirmed seeing a man on the trail apparently waving at her. Walnut Creek police officers responded and searched the area but did not locate the suspect or the vehicle, according to the press release.
Anyone with information is asked to call the WCPD at (925) 943-5844.
