Second Lewd Act Reported Near MVHS; Police Seek Public's Help to Identify Suspect

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect who is believed to have committed a second child annoyance/lewd act near Murrieta Valley High School.

The first alleged incident was reported Sept. 5 when a 15-year-old student told police a man had driven up beside her that morning as she walked to school along Washington Avenue, near Vineyard Parkway.

The man allegedly stopped his car and began masturbating while he stared at her, according to police.

At 6:55 a.m. Thursday, a 16-year-old MVHS student reported that the same thing happened to her as she was walking near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Nighthawk Way.

Police are actively investigating both cases, Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad said in a news release Thursday.

“We believe it is the same suspect,” Conrad told Patch.

Both incidents were on Thursdays.

In the hopes that the public can help locate the suspect, media outlets were asked to disseminate the attached flier containing the suspect’s physical and vehicle descriptions.

The suspect is described on the flier as Hispanic and in his late 30s to early 50s, with dark, cropped hair and short in stature with a stocky build.

The vehicle allegedly driven during the incidents is described as a 1990s model small compact car—possibly a Toyota and possibly a four-door—with slightly oxidized and faded blue paint.

Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact Murrieta police Sgt. Phil Gomez at 951-461-6356.