Boy, 10, Reports Unnerving Encounter With Man On Sidewalk In Nearby Palo Alto

PALO ALTO, CA – Police are looking for a man who harassed a boy walking alone on a Palo Alto sidewalk earlier this week.

Officers received a report around 3:10 p.m. Monday of a suspicious person seen in the 900 block of Webster Street about 20 minutes earlier, police said.

Officers responded to the neighborhood about a block west from Middlefield Road, but were unable to find the person, according to police.

An investigation found that the 10-year-old boy was walking alone and was approached by a man who placed his arms around him, but didn't touch the child, police said.

The man then made a guttural noise before he walked into bushes near the Webster Wood Apartments complex, according to police.

The man never said any distinct words to the boy, who walked home and told one of his parents. The parent quickly notified police about the encounter, according to police.

The suspect is described as a white man, possibly in his 20s, who had a clean-cut appearance and may have worn a blue shirt, police said.

Parents are advised to remind their children to stay alert wherever they are and alert an adult of any suspicious activity, according to police.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police dispatch at (650) 329-2413. Those who wish to remain anonymous may send an email to paloalto@tipnow.org or send a text message or voicemail to (650) 383-8984.

Also see: Police Release Suspect Sketch Accused of Exposing Himself to 14 Year Old Girl

--Bay City News/File photo