Police Seek Man Accused of Sexual Assault on Perris Girl

Police are searching for a man accused of sexual assault on a teenage girl walking home from school in Perris on Thursday, March 12.

According to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, officers responded to a call at 3:30 p.m. The student was walking home from school at about 3:20 p.m. near the intersection of May Ranch Parkway and Evans Road in Perris when she was approached from behind by a male Hispanic adult.

The suspect grabbed the girl from behind, held her, and attempted to direct her toward nearby bushes, police said. When the girl resisted and broke free, the suspect grabbed her body while making inappropriate comments. The assault was interrupted by a passing adult female motorist who scared the suspect away.

The suspect was last seen running westbound on May Ranch Parkway towards Evans Road. The suspect (shown in sketch at left) is described as a light-skinned, Hispanic male adult, 25-30 years old, 5 feet 5 inches and 190 pounds, with acne scarring, and no distinct accent. He was wearing black jeans, black shoes, a white polo shirt and thick black-rimmed glasses. No suspect vehicle was seen.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify a potential adult female witness who was driving a black vehicle around the time this crime occurred.

Anyone who may have witnessed or been contacted by door-to-door solicitors in the area during that time or who may have information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Salisbury from the Perris Station at 951-210-1046.