Police are searching for an unknown man in a white SUV who
tailed and circled two sisters on their way to middle school this
morning, authorities said.
Police are searching for an unknown man in a white SUV who tailed and circled two sisters on their way to middle school this morning, authorities said.
A Hispanic male in his mid to late 20s drove a white Ford Explorer or Jeep Cherokee around the 7600 block of Hanna Street between Third and Fourth streets at least three times this morning, slowing down each time he went down Hanna Street to smile and give the peace sign to an 11-year-old girl and her 14-year-old sister as they walked to their separate schools.
After the third loop, the man made a U-turn and drove northbound on Hanna Street toward the girls, who were walking in that direction. They crossed the road during his maneuver, though, causing the man to keep on driving, police said.
When the older sister kept on Hanna toward Brownell Middle School just a block north, she told her younger sister to stay close to a woman and another young girl walking west on Third Street toward El Roble Elementary School, which sits about six blocks west from that location on Wren Avenue.
Before the younger sister could make it to El Roble, though, the man drove by again – nearing her for the fifth time – and actually stopped near Third and Rea streets. According to the 11-year-old, who notified school officials who called police, the man stepped out of the SUV and yelled in English, “Don’t run. I’m not going to do anything to you.”
“She was obviously spooked by this, so she picked up her pace to catch up with the adult in front of her, and when he saw this, he drove away,” Sgt. Jim Gillio said.
Police said the SUV lacked a front grill, and the girls described the man as thin, clean shaven with a buzz cut or shaved head and wearing a white tank top. He also may have had a tattoo. Police also received reports of a similar car driving near El Roble after the 11-year-old made it inside.
Gilroy Police Department’s School Resource Officer Cherie Somavia has been speaking with the girls and working to notify school officials and parents, Gillio said. Police do not believe this incident is connected with any other incidents – including the spate of suspicious incidents featuring men following children that occurred more than a year ago – and will make sure the two girls have rides home after school, Gillio said.
Anyone with information can call Detective Mitch Madruga at 846-0350 or leave an anonymous tip at (800) 87-CRIME.
