Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Crimes Against Children Unit

Victim is a 15-year-old female. Per Florida Statute 119.071, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

Suspect (Unknown)- Described as a white male, 40 to 50-years-of age, thin build, with gray hair, a beard, wearing a yellow t-shirt, white shorts, and white sneakers.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit are seeking the public’s assistance to identify a suspect who inappropriately touched a girl in Seminole.

When:
The incident occurred at about 5 p.m. on December 2, 2016.

Where:
The incident occurred on Oakhurst Road near 86^th Avenue North in Seminole.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit are seeking the public’s assistance to identify a suspect who inappropriately touched a girl in Seminole.

According to detectives, the 15-year-old victim was walking home from Seminole High School when she observed the suspect, an unidentified male walking northbound on the west side of Oakhurst Road near 58^th Avenue North, in Seminole.

Detectives say that the suspect hid behind a bush and waited for a school crossing guard to leave the area before he started walking towards the victim. The victim became nervous and proceeded northbound on Oakhurst Road, walking away from the suspect. The suspect followed the victim, came up behind her, and slapped her on the buttocks with his hand.  

The scared victim ran away from the suspect but the suspect followed, jogging behind her for about a half mile. The suspect was unable to catch up to the victim and he was last seen near 9130 Oakhurst Road.  

The victim was not injured.

The suspect is described as a white male, 40 to 50-years-of age, thin build, with gray hair, a beard, wearing a yellow t-shirt, white shorts, and white sneakers.

Detectives worked with the victim to provide a composite sketch of the suspect.

Anyone with information that may assist detectives in this investigation is asked to contact Corporal Paniccia, of the Crimes Against Children Unit at 727-582-6200 or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org.

The investigation continues.