Officials investigating after man “lunges at, grabs” student walking to school

HOME GARDENS — Authorities are searching for a man they allege lunged at and grabbed a student early yesterday morning, Friday, Oct. 5. The alleged incident happened in the area of Indiana Ave. and Fillmore St. in Home Gardens, on the border of the City of Riverside and unincorporated Riverside, according to officials.

Although officials did not list the victim’s age or school she was headed to a number of schools, including Arizona Elementary, Allan Orrenmaa Elementary, Hillcrest High, and Alvord Continuation High schools, are in the immediate vicinity of the alleged incident.

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Officials first learned of the incident about 6:30 a.m., when they received the report of a man who “lunged toward a student and grabbed her sweatshirt,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Edward Soto later explained.

Deputies investigating the alleged incident learned a female student was walking her bike to school when she observed a light-complected Hispanic male adult standing on the sidewalk ahead of her.

As the student walked past the man the subject accosted the victim, grabbing her by the sweatshirt.

“The student broke free from the subject’s grasp and immediately ran away,” Soto explained. “The student lost sight of the subject moments thereafter.”

Despite an extensive search of the area by deputies and Riverside PD officers authorities were unable to locate the subject.

The subject was described as a 20-30 year-old, Hispanic male adult wearing a black hooded sweatshirt pulled down around his face only revealing his eyes. He was also wearing black sweatpants and black shoes with white stripes.

The victim did not see a weapon.

Sheriff’s officials used the opportunity to encourage parents to remind their children to always be aware of their surroundings, and to use the buddy system and walk in pairs whenever possible.

The sheriff’s investigation into this reported incident is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Investigations Bureau at (951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number E182780006 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

 

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.