Search continues for child predator

IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) -- The search continues Saturday for a child predator in Irvine after a 10-year-old girl fought the suspect off with a kick to the grown.

Police say the girl was walking her bike up to her gated apartment complex in Irvine after school when the suspect approached her. Police say the man tried to bribe the young girl into taking her clothes off. The girl had two years of Tae Kwon Do training and was able to fight the suspect off.

"She kind of observed a male coming up kind of close to her and turned to see why he was getting so close," said Lt. Rick Handfield from the Irvine Police Department. "And it was at that point that she said that he offered her some candy to take off some of her clothing. And she became kind of concerned at that point, and as he kind of leaned forward and reached toward her she delivered a very well placed kick."

After the girl kicked the man in the groin he dropped down, giving her time to run away. The incident allegedly happened around 3 p.m. Tuesday near Bryan Avenue and Marketplace in Irvine, not far from Tustin Ranch Elementary School.

Parents and students are well aware of what happened.

"My son now is really scared. He is asking why there are mean people in the world. He doesn't want to come to school and he is always scared. Now he is always on the look. We were walking to school and he was looking back and forth -- right and left for any vans. He is under the concept that it is vans that kidnap children," said Stelynna VonBorstel.

The incident gives parents an opportunity to talk with their kids about what to do if they're confronted by a stranger.

"First and foremost just run away," said Celia Otto. "Just run away as fast as you can and do what that little girl did, just scream."

The suspect was described as a male Hispanic with a shaved head, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, between 20 and 30 years old, with a medium build. He had a noticeable Hispanic accent. He also had a tattoo of cursive writing on the back of his neck and a small scar on the right side of his face.

Police say the suspect could be driving a green older model Jeep Wrangler with no top.

Investigators released a composite sketch Friday in the hopes that someone may be able to identify the man. Anyone with information is urged to call the Irvine Police Department at (949) 724-7183.

 

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