EASTVALE: Man hiding in bushes lunges at, grabs, chases, boy – officials now searching

August 24, 2018 Trevor Montgomery

EASTVALE — Authorities are searching for a man after an Eastvale boy reported a terrifying encounter yesterday afternoon; alleging a man lunged at, grabbed, and then chased the youth, as he was walking home from school. The troubling incident happened Thursday, Aug 23, in the area of Sumner Ave. and Pheasant Knoll Rd., in the City of Eastvale, sheriff’s officials announced today.

Although officials did not specify the victim’s age or which school he was walking home from, a number of schools sit within short walking distance of the location, including Eastvale and Rosa Parks Elementarys, Dr. Augustine Ramirez and River Heights Intermediates, and Eleanor Roosevelt High Schools. Several parks are also within the immediate area, including Providence Ranch, Riverwalk, McCune Family, Harada Heritage, Eastvale Community, Deer Creek, and Cedar Creek Parks.

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The alleged suspect, who has not yet been located or identified, has been described as a 50 to 60-year-old, white male, with a grey beard, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Edward Soto explained around noon today. At the time of the incident the man was reportedly wearing a red hat, unknown type jacket with gold or tan vertical stripes on the sleeves, and light blue pants, which were described as dirty and ripped. The man was not seen to have a weapon.

Deputies began searching for the man about 3:30 p.m., after the student reported the incident.

The boy told investigating deputies he was walking home from school when he noticed the man walking toward him. As the boy continued walking, he observed the man duck into some bushes “concealing himself from view,” according to Soto.

“As the student walked past the subject, the subject lunged towards the student and grabbed his ankle,” Soto explained. The panic-stricken boy managed to break free from the man’s grip and immediately ran away.

Undeterred, the man reportedly chased the boy for a short distance before the student lost sight of his pursuer.

At least a dozen schools and parks sit within short walking distance of an incident involving a man who allegedly lunged at, grabbed, and then chased a boy who had been walking home from an Eastvale area school yesterday. Google images.

Deputies immediately converged on the area and conducted an extensive search for the man, but were unable to locate him that day.

Sheriff’s officials are continuing to search for the alleged suspect and have cautioned area parents to remind their children to always be aware of their surroundings. Students are also strongly encouraged to walk in pairs or groups when possible and are also encouraged to immediately report any suspicious activity they observe, said Soto.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or who knows the identity and/or whereabouts of the alleged suspect is encouraged to immediately contact the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 955-2600 or Sheriff’s dispatch at (951) 776-1099. Callers can refer to incident file number EV182350067 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.