Irving Police Searching For Serial 'Inappropriate Touching' Suspect
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - Irving police are searching for the man who has been inappropriately touching and grabbing women and girls in the southeast part of the city.
According to Irving Police Department spokesman James McLellan, over the last few months eight people have filed complaints. "We have received several reports, from women, who have reported being inappropriately touched on the buttocks," he said. "Most of these offenses are occurring earlier in the morning, between about six and eight o'clock in the morning."
Victims have so far not been been able to give good descriptions of the suspect. "These things are happening so fast that often times our victims are not getting a very good look at the suspect. So, we're at the point now where if we have folks out there that are seeing suspicious behavior it [reporting] may lead to an arrest in these cases."
Despite not having a good description of the suspect, Officer McLellan says people can help by just being more aware of what's going on around them. "The focus should be on someone's behavior, perhaps somebody loitering or lingering around that may be staring at women. Or a witness may see a person walk up to a woman… and even perhaps witness one of these offenses."
The victims have always described the suspect as Hispanic, but the believed approximate age has varied from 25 to 45-years-old. There have also been a number of different physical descriptions, varying from tall and slender to short and heavy set. At the time of the offenses some victims said the suspect was dressed in painter's pants and a grey or dark colored hoodie.
Police say all of the victims were pedestrians that were walking on a sidewalk or in an apartment complex on or near Nursery Road, Carl Road or Irving Heights Road. The area is densely populated with apartment complexes.
One thing that has been consistent is that the suspect always approaches victims on foot and after the touching immediately runs away.
Police are suggesting that women and children void walking alone if possible. They say pedestrians should also have an "action plan" and the means to summon help if necessary.
Anyone with information on the cases or who sees a man exhibiting suspicious behavior is asked to contact Irving police at 972-273-1010.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)