Man inappropriately touched Md. girl on her way to school

WASHINGTON — Montgomery County Police say the 10-year-old girl who was inappropriately touched by a man last week was alert and gave police a good description that could help catch the suspect.

The girl told police that she believes she saw the very same man the day before.

“Her antenna was up. She noticed the guy was wearing the same clothes…it may suggest that the man is transient or homeless,” says Captain Paul Starks, spokesman, Montgomery County Police.

The girl also told police the man smelled of cigarettes.

She was walking to Rolling Terrace Elementary School in Takoma Park around 7:40 a.m. Thursday when a man approached her from behind, touched her, then removed his hands when she turned to face him.

The suspect is described as Hispanic, between 5 feet and 5 feet 2 inches tall and in his late 30s to early 40s. He wore a black sweatshirt, black baseball hat, black shoes and saggy light blue jeans. He carried a dark green and light gray backpack with the chest strap fastened.

“The officers who are normally assigned to that area, the Takoma Park, Silver Spring area, are looking for the subject matching that description,” Starks says.

Starks says anyone with information about the case should contact Montgomery County Police, Family Crimes Division 240-773-5400. Anyone who thinks they see the suspect on the street should call 911.

WTOP’s Dick Uliano contributed to this report.

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