Suspicious Encounter Leads To PVEPD Investigation

PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CA — A woman reported suspicious circumstances in Palos Verdes Estates this week and police authorities sought the public's help in identifying the male subject involved.

According to the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, a woman who parked her car in the scenic parking lot in the 1300 block of Palos Verdes Drive West Monday afternoon was approached by a stranger while sitting in her car. The man parked his car in the stall next to the woman's car, got out and knocked on her window and sparked up a conversation, PVEPD said.

The woman then got out of her own car and the pair continued to talk outside for about 10 minutes before the man invited the woman into his own vehicle, police said. The woman told police the man said she looked stressed and appeared to have a "troubled past," and then told her he was a healer that wanted to show her something.

Inside the car, the woman was told to sit in the back seat, remove her shoes and sock and lie down, PVEPD said.

"While providing these instructions, the male retrieved a hand towel and pump spray bottle containing a clear liquid and began spraying it onto the hand towel," PVEPD said.

Afraid for her safety, the woman left the man's car and returned to her own. After she left, the man got into his car and quickly left, the woman told the police.

The man was described as an approximately 65-year-old Hispanic man that was 5 feet 7 inches tall with collar-length gray hair and a strong accent. His car was a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee Classic with tinted windows, a gray cargo roof rack, a forward-facing LED light bar, and a red fuel canister attached at the back.

Anyone who may have information about the incident or the man was urged to contact the PVEPD at 310-378-0383.