By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
The Woodland Police Department is investigating three suspicious encounters involving a man in a vehicle following girls home from school.
The first incident, which wasn't initially reported, occurred about two weeks ago when a 12-year-old girl was walking home from Freeman Elementary School, according to a Woodland Police Department news release.
The girl told police that and older, gray four-door sedan, possibly a late 1980s or '90s model, followed her for some time. The vehicle left when a parent saw what was going on and intervened.
The driver was described as Hispanic, about 30 years old, with a black mustache. His passenger was described as a Hispanic man about 20 years old.
The second incident, also initially unreported, occurred about 3:45 p.m. Friday as an 11-year-old girl was walking home from Freeman Elementary School.
The girl told police that while walking through Christensen Park, she noticed a Hispanic man watching her as he stood near his vehicle. The vehicle was parked on Walnut Street and was described and an older, light gold or silver four-door sedan, also possibly a 1980s or '90s model.
The girl was so frightened by the stranger's stare that she began to run to a friend's home, police reported. As she ran, the man got into his car and followed her. When the girl reached her friend's house, the man drove off.
The driver was described as 20 to 25 years old, weighing about 130 pounds with a thin build, and black shoulder-length hair that was described as moist and wavy in a mullet-style cut.
The third encounter occurred about 5 p.m. Tuesday. A concerned citizen called Woodland Police Dispatch when he saw a girl who appeared to be about 15 years old being followed and harassed by a Hispanic man driving a silver four-door sedan.
The driver was described as about 25 years old, with a thin build, short black "spiked" hair and wearing dark sunglasses.
The Woodland Police Department urges parents to remind their children, including teenagers, to beware of strangers.
If approached by a stranger in an inappropriate manner, children are advised to run to a safe place and to tell a trusted adult what happened or call 911.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to call the Woodland Police Department at (530) 666-2411.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
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