Three female students were sexually assaulted before escaping a still-at-large suspect on their way to and from Pittman High School and Turlock Junior High School last Monday and Tuesday.
The assaults occurred in the vicinity of Christoffersen Road between McKenna and Walnut Streets at 3:50 p.m. Monday, followed by two attacks on Tuesday at 7:20 and 7:25 a.m.
Officer Mayra Lewis of the Turlock Police Department (TPD) reported that the girls were subjected to inappropriate sexual contact but were able to act quickly and break free within seconds of the assaults.
The first attack occurred as a 16 year-old student was walking home from school on Christoffersen Road near McKenna Avenue.
She immediately ran to a nearby church where she asked for help and police officials were contacted.
During the first attack Tuesday, the suspect was reported to be walking in the opposite direction of the second victim.
While passing by, he touched her inappropriately.
The suspect then fled to Walnut Ave. where he committed a third attack, this time grabbing the arm of a 13-year-old student traveling southbound towards Shady Lane on her way to Turlock Junior High School.
She was able to push him away and run to the school where officials kept her safe and notified police.
“Turlock Police Department is actively searching for the responsible subject,” Officer Lewis said.
“Patrol, school resource officers and officers in specialized units have been temporarily reassigned to this incident. Incidents like this are taken very seriously. We are currently working with the Turlock Unified School District (TUSD) to ensure proper precautions are taken in the event this subject comes near the school again.”
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male in his mid-20s, about 5’5” to 5’10” having light brown/reddish hair on his head and face, with a scruffy appearance and a weight between 150 and 170 lbs.
The assailant was wearing jeans and a grey hoodie on the first day, tan pants, a dark hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses the second day.
TPD and TUSD are advising all students to be particularly mindful until the assailant is apprehended.
The investigation is being actively pursued until the assailant is apprehended. A sketch of the suspect was released April 2.
TUSD reports the girls as being safe and back in school as of Wednesday, March 26.
Please report any suspicious activity to TPD at 209-668-1200 or to UPD at 209-667-3114.
If you are an eyewitness to an injury or assault, call 911 immediately.