Crime & Safety

Sheriff: Man on Bicycle Fondled 2 Girls, 1 Woman

Residents are being asked to exercise caution as a hunt for the suspect continues in the Palm Harbor area.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is asking for residents’ help in identifying a man it says inappropriately touched at least two girls and one woman in the area of Carwise Middle School.

The first incident occurred around 3:40 p.m. March 24 as a 16-year-old girl was jogging in the area of Alderman Road and Cinnamon Hill Boulevard, the sheriff’s office stated in an email to media. The girl told deputies the man approached her on a bike, grabbed her and fondled her breast.

The second incident occurred in the same area April 4. This time a 41-year-old woman reported jogging by a row of bushes when a man came up behind her on foot “and grabbed her shorts near her hips and attempted to pull them down,” the email said. The woman fought back and was able to get away.

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The first two victims described their attacker as a man between 18 and 30 years of age. He is about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds, has a medium build and brown collar-length hair. He was seen riding a dark-colored BMX bike.

The 16-year-old from the March incident reported seeing the suspect again on April 12, but noted he had “long” hair.

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On April 24 around 4:10 p.m., the third attack occurred. This time a 12-year-old girl ran into the suspect in the same area of Alderman Road and Cinnamon Hill Boulevard. The girl told deputies a man passed her on a black BMX bicycle, turned around and rode back at her from behind. The man is accused of stopping next to the victim, pulling up her skirt and touching her buttocks.

The girl ran away.

The 12-year-old gave a similar description to the first two victims, but noted the man had a thin build with eyes that are close together. Her attacker, the sheriff’s office said, had short, dirty blonde hair.

The sheriff’s office has released suspect sketches in the case. The agency asks that anyone with information about the crimes contact Det. Diana Bergman of the Crimes Against Children Unit at 727-582-6200.

Sketches courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

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