A young girl was walking to school on Monday, March 30 when a stranger touched her face and exposed himself, according to a police source.
According to cops, the student was walking near 72nd Street and 17th Avenue when a Hispanic male with short brown hair and a goatee called her over to ask for directions. When she approached the van – described by a police source as a newer model black minivan – the man allegedly told the girl that she had something on her face.
The suspect – further described as a heavyset man in his mid-30s with a silver cap on his tooth – then put his hand on the girl’s cheek and proceeded to expose himself.
The girl, a student at I.S. 187 The Christa McAuliffe School (1171 65th Street), then ran to school where she reported the incident to staff.
The school’s principal, Justin Berman, sent a letter home to parents urging them to caution their children, and including safe travel tips, including “always travel with a group of friends,” and “use main streets rather than side streets.”
A police source stressed that, while the suspect did touch the girl’s cheek, he did not grab her and this was not an attempted abduction.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers, 800-577-TIPS.
The investigation is ongoing.
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