Police on hunt for suspected child molester

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- Police are looking for a man who allegedly molested an

8-year-old girl in a public park Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

Police said the girl was with two other boys in Moon Park about the

3300 block of California Street when a man approached them and “verbally

scared the boys away.”

After the boys ran away, he “befriended” the girl, said Costa Mesa

Sgt. Don Holford.

“He exposed his [genitals] and asked [the girl to touch],” Holford

said. He said the man also put his hands inside the girl’s underwear.

She then got frightened and ran away, Holford said.

Police said the man was seen riding into Moon Park from a bike trail.

Officials describe him as an adult in his 30s, about 5-feet 10-inches

tall with a slender build. He is said to have had short blond or brown

hair and wearing a gray Adidas T-shirt, dark colored short pants, white

socks, white ankle-high tennis shoes and black frame glasses with brown

lens.

Police say he also carried a black fanny pack and was riding a blue

mountain bike that changes colors when it moves.

Officials said this man was not linked to three incidents that

happened in May. In those cases, a man approached three girls, all below

the age of 10, in public places and exposed himself to them. That alleged

molester is also being investigated by the Tustin Police Department for

his involvement with similar incidents in that city.

Holford said the alleged molester was rather brazen to strike in broad

daylight in a public place.

“It’s bold and scary,” he said. “Obviously there is a potential for

violence with this man because of the bold nature of this incident.”

Holford said parents should at all times keep a watchful eye on their

children.

“Groups are always good,” he said. “But obviously it didn’t help in

this case. He managed to scare the two boys away. Parents should consider

the age and maturity of their child.”

Those with information about the suspected molester are asked to call

Costa Mesa Police Det. Larry Torres at (714) 754-5039.