Police Search For Man Who Grabbed, Kissed 13-Year-Old
By Jamie Leary
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- Police in Boulder hope someone recognizes the man in a sketch who is wanted for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
The man has been accused of grabbing, kissing and inappropriately touching the girl at Keewaydin Meadows Park in Boulder about 5 p.m. on Nov. 8. The park is near Manhattan Middle School.
Those who frequent the park say it's always busy and are shocked it happened so early in the evening.
"It's scary and it's very daring of somebody to come into this neighborhood. In a busy neighborhood like this, where there are parents and there are people out walking and biking all the time. It's very very disturbing," said Joan Fleming who lives up the street from Keewaydin Park.
Fleming walks around Keewaydin on a regular basis and says because of this attack, she will no longer walk the park in the evenings.
"I would not go out now past 4:30 in the evening because of this. It just disturbs me," said Flemming.
The girl had stayed after school and had left the park to walk to the East Boulder Recreation Center.
She told police that as she was walking, the man came up behind her, grabbed her arm, kissed her and touched her in an inappropriate manner. She screamed and the suspect ran to the school parking lot and got into a car and drove away.
The suspect is described as a heavyset man in his mid-30s with long black hair and no facial hair. He was wearing a blue ski jacket and baggy pants and may have had a necklace or keys hanging around his neck. He drove away in either an older white Audi or Subaru sedan.
School's Letter To Manhattan Middle School Families:
Dear Phoenix Families,
This morning the Boulder Police Department sent out the following update regarding the possible sex assault they are investigating, which reportedly occurred at Keewaydin Park Wednesday night.
We are committed to the safety of students here at Manhattan Middle School and will continue to update you with any additional information we receive about this case. Please see the suspect description and sketch included in the Boulder Police Department's statement:
Boulder police are investigating a possible sex assault
On Wednesday, Nov. 8 at approximately 5:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to talk with the victim of a possible sex assault. The 13-year-old girl said she stayed after school to meet with a friend at Keewaydin Park, 250 Manhattan Drive, just south of Manhattan Middle School. At approximately 4:50 p.m. she left the park to walk to the East Boulder Recreation Center. The victim reported that as she was walking, a man came up behind her, grabbed her arm, kissed her and touched her in an inappropriate manner. She screamed and the suspect ran to the school parking lot and got into an older white Audi or Subaru sedan and drove away.
The suspect is described as a heavyset man in his 30's with long black hair and no facial hair. He was wearing a blue ski jacket and baggy pants and may have had a necklace or keys hanging around his neck.
This situation is under investigation as detectives gather facts and corroborate statements and additional information will be released if need be. The case number is 17-14767.
Anyone who may have information about this case should call Detective Jeremy Frenzen at 303-441-1890. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
If you see someone matching the description above, please let me, our staff or law enforcement know.
Sincerely,
John Riggs
Principal
Manhattan Middle School of Arts and Academics
Jamie Leary joined the CBS4 team in 2015 and currently works as a reporter for CBS4 News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. She couldn't imagine a better place to live and work and will stop at nothing to find the next great story. Jamie loves learning about and hearing from her fellow community members, so connect with her on Facebook or Twitter @JamieALeary.
