4 teenage girls groped walking to school, suspect sought by police

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (FOX 11) - Police in Riverside are searching for a sexual battery suspect who they say groped four teenage girls on their way to school on Wednesday.

All four of the battery cases occurred on Wednesday between 7:00a.m. and 8:15 a.m. at four separate locations in largely the same area - near the intersections of Gramercy Place and Jones Avenues, Gramercy Place and Crest Avenues, Gramercy Place and Wohlstetter Street, and Hole Avenue and Jones Avenue.

Riverside police say the man chased the girls, ranging between the ages of 12 and 18, he then groped them in a sexual manner and ran away.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, between 30 to 40-years of age, he was wearing a black baseball hat or beanie, a black running jacket, black running pants and black shoes.

Police are asking local parents and students to be aware of their surroundings and report all suspicious activity in the area. "If you see something - say something" said additional officers who will be stepping up patrols in the area on Thursday.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Detective Karla Beler with the Riverside Police Department at (951) 353-7125.