Man Allegedly Tried To Lure Santa Cruz Teen Girl, Cops Say

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Santa Cruz police are searching for a man who allegedly tried to lure a 14-year-old girl into his car on Friday. Police said the man approached the girl in the area of Bay and King streets while she was walking home from school.

He allegedly told her to get inside her car and motioned her to go into the vehicle. Police said the girl walked away from the suspect, but he then circled the block and told her once again to go inside the car.The suspect then followed her to the 100 block of Kenneth Street, according to police.

Police have released a sketch of the suspect, who is described as a Hispanic man between the ages of 18 and 25 who had a slightly thicker build and was wearing a white T-shirt, police said. He may also have had a tattoo on his lower left arm and police said he spoke in "clear, unaccented" English.

The suspect was driving a silver or champagne-colored four-door Nissan Altima, and police also have released a surveillance image of the vehicle. Anyone who sees the man is asked to call 911 and police said
parents should encourage children to be aware of their surroundings.

By Bay City News

Photos, sketch courtesy Santa Cruz PD