Separate sex solicitation cases could be connected
MID-CITY Santa Monica Police are searching for a man who reportedly approached three teenage girls here last month and offered them money for sex.
The suspect on two occasions solicited a group of juveniles from his car as they were walking on the sidewalk. The first incident occurred during the afternoon of Aug. 1 in the 1500 block of 26th Street where the man approached a 13-year-old girl.
He reportedly followed up again in the late afternoon of Aug. 20 about two blocks away on the 1300 block of 26th Street, driving up to 12 and 13-year-old girls.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male between the ages of 30 and 40, with medium build and black, short and spiked hair.
While police believe the same suspect could’ve been involved in both incidents, the victims each described a different vehicle. The victim in the first case reported seeing a newer model white pick-up truck with a white camper shell, its license plate ending with “02.”
The teenagers in the second incident said the suspect drove a newer model white four-door sport utility vehicle.
Investigators have not identified any suspects or received similar reports since the most previous incident.
The warning was posted late last week in light of the new school year.
“We decided to put it out in case they’re related because they occurred in the same area,” Detective Lloyd Gladden of the SMPD said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the SMPD at (310) 458-8451 or (310) 458-8427. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip hotline at (800) 78- CRIME.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 9, 2008. Read the original PDF.