Palo Alto PD Seek Suspect In Unnerving Encounter With Girl, 11

Palo Alto police today said they are searching for a suspect who appeared to be following an 11-year-old girl home from school and behaving strangely around her.

The girl was riding her bicycle south in the 3800 block of Louis Road at about 3:30 p.m. Friday when a vehicle passed her and pulled over to the curb in front of her, police said. The girl rode past and did not look closely at the driver, police said. A few minutes later, the same vehicle passed the girl again and pulled over to the curb.

This time, the girl looked at the driver as she rode past and saw that he was behaving strangely.

While the man did not try to speak to the girl or interact directly with her, and was not naked, police said his behavior appeared to be consistent with masturbation.

The girl described the driver as a white man in his 20s with a thin build who was driving a small SUV, dark blue, black or red in color, with a spare tire attached to the back, according to police.

Police are investigating whether the incident is related to any other recent indecent exposure cases.

Residents are encouraged to call 911 immediately to report suspicious activity and parents should encourage their children to tell them or a trusted adult about anything they see that does not seem right, police said.

--Bay City News