Police Believe Child Sexual Predator Uses Money To Lure Kids
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - The hunt is on for a man Fort Worth police say is out to solicit and sexually assault minors. In all the cases police say the man flashes cash at the youngsters and tries to lure them into his vehicle.
Police are searching diligently and are now asking the public for their help. Of course, the goal is to get the suspect off the streets before he strikes again.
What would have been a quiet night in east Fort Worth is now laced with concern.
Fort Worth police say they're looking for a sexual predator who's been cruising the streets for weeks, in a silver BMW and targeting young boys.
The suspect first struck on January 9, that's when he approached a 17-year-old walking home from Dunbar High School, near Rosedale and Loop 820.
During a press conference Fort Worth Detective Chris Daniels explained, "The individual driving the car offered him $100 for a sexual favor." The teen refused and got away.
Then, three days later an 11-year-old boy wasn't as fortunate, he fell victim to the same scheme when the suspect approached him near Andrews and Rosedale. Police say in that case, the 11-year-old was actually paid the money promised top him.
Most recently the man was spotted loitering at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, less than a mile away from where the assault happened.
The MLK Center is labeled as a 'safe zone,' but police say it's right in the suspect's area of interest.
Mujah Vernon and his family live just down the street from the community center. He says now more than ever he's making sure his little ones know about stranger dangers. "It's serious man. As you can see we have small children," Vernon said, adding that he tells his children, "Definitely not to talk to any cars that stop asking them questions."
Other Fort Worth residents in the area say the tension is just another sign of the times when it comes to safety. Neighbor Vaughn Durham said half jokingly, "If you let your kids and grandkids out you virtually need to be armed with an AK-47 these days, just to watch them."
Wednesday night police continued their hunt to find the suspect, but are also concerned a particular group of children are being targeted and that there are victims that haven't come forward. Police say this predator is targeting poor, minority children, in a community he is familiar with. They also believe the suspect, described as a light-skinned black man in his 30s, with a goatee, is seeking out children of his same race.
Police are putting together a composite sketch of the suspect.
Anyone with information about the suspect or recent attacks is asked to contact the Fort Worth Crimes Against Children Unit at 817-348-1155.
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