Officials Say Man, 52, Dressed Up As Woman To Stalk Boy, 15, For Sex
SIMI VALLEY (CBLA.com) — Officials in Simi Valley say a 52-year-old man -- dressed up as a woman -- to hit up a 15-year-old boy for sex.
More surprising, police said they didn't know they had a man under arrest until they took the suspect in for questioning.
The man allegedly approached the boy in the parking lot of a strip mall in the 2400 block of Sycamore where police say the alleged act occurred.
KCAL9's Tom Wait went to the location to ask shoppers for their thoughts.
"It's crazy, I've never heard of such a thing, said shopper Jan Moran. "The whole thing is like someone made it up or somebody or used a script - it's very very unusual. I've lived here over 30 years and I have never come across anything like that."
Simi Valley Police tracked down the suspect, a resident of North Hills, and arrested him. He was driving a 2006 4-door Toyota Avalon.
Authorities have no released the man's name or his booking photo. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department told Wait the the suspect's M.O. leads them to believe there are possibly more victims out there and hope they will come forward.
Shopper Michelle Quidez had advice for all young people who could be prey to such behavior. "You don't acknowledge them, you keep walking and tell someone right away."
Anyone with information on this incident or similar incidents is urged to call the Simi Valley Police at (805) 583-6950.