Santa Cruz PD Release Sketch Of Child-Luring Suspect

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA - The Santa Cruz Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect wanted in connection with a recent child luring case.

Police said the suspect tried to lure a 12-year-old boy into his car on the upper west side of Santa Cruz on Feb. 3. The incident occurred at around 4 p.m.

Police said the boy was riding his skateboard near his home when he noticed a car driving back and forth on the street.

The suspect parked near the 12-year-old and asked if he wanted to get in the vehicle. The boy told the man “No,” and the man drove a few feet closer to the boy and attempted to lure him into his car, police said.

The boy then ran off and notified his parents about the incident, and they called the police.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man, 5 feet 6 inches tall, in his mid-30s and with yellowish teeth. He was wearing a short sleeve gray shirt. He spoke English with a heavy Spanish accent.

He was driving a light gold compact sedan with faded paint. Police said an image of the suspect’s vehicle was captured from a nearby residence’s security camera.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820.

--Bay City News