Police identify man suspected of lewd conduct

Police have identified a man they believe was masturbating near a tennis session for girls at Corona del Mar High School last month before a coach confronted and chased him off campus.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in finding Joshua Joseph Koon, 38, described as a 140-pound white man who stands about 5-foot-7 and has brown hair and brown eyes.

Koon may be driving a gray 2004 Toyota Tundra with Nevada license plate number 717YLP or a green 1995 Toyota Corolla with Alaska license plate number FGH830, according to a Newport Beach Police Department news release.

He is suspected of lewd conduct in public, according to the release.

Corona del Mar High School tennis coach Brian Ricker sent an email to parents describing the alleged incident, which he wrote took place about 3 p.m. Oct. 25.

“He had his T-shirt pulled out and down with one hand and was taking part in a very inappropriate activity with the other hand,” Ricker wrote in the email.

Ricker hit a tennis ball into the fence to get the man’s attention and then had a short conversation with him, he wrote.

After Ricker asked students for a phone, the man ran away and drove quickly out of the parking lot, according to the email. Another coach chased the man and took down a license plate number.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Det. Peter Carpentieri at (949) 644-3772 or Sgt. Doug Jones at (949) 644-3775. People can also call the NBPD hotline at (800) 550-NBPD.