Teenager harassed by motorist

Greg Risling

COSTA MESA -- Police are looking for a man who made sexual overtures to a

14-year-old boy during the past two weeks, authorities said Thursday.

The teenager, who attends Costa Mesa High School, was approached on two

occasions by a man who tried to lure the boy into his car.

The first encounter between occurred Jan. 6, when the boy was walking

home from school near Baker Street and Fillmore Way, authorities said.

The man pulled up next to the teen and asked him if he knew where another

kid lived. As the driver was leaving, police said he told the boy, “You

look good.” The boy also provided his first name and the man drove away.

A week later on Jan. 13, the driver saw the boy at about 2:15 p.m. in the

same vicinity as the first meeting and called to him, using the victim’s

first name, police said.

The boy tried to ignore the driver, who allegedly wanted to meet him in

an alley. The boy walked away in the opposite direction.

Several minutes later the boy noticed the driver again, who told him he

“didn’t need to be nervous,” according to the police report. Then the

motorist allegedly harassed the boy with some sexually oriented

statements.

“They were pretty lewd comments,” said Sgt. Don Holford, who wouldn’t

elaborate because there is an ongoing investigation.

Police said the driver tried to grab the boy’s hand and offered him $5 to

come with him. The boy refused and ran home, where he told his parents

about the incidents.

The man is described as African-American, about 5 feet, 9 inches tall and

weighing 140 pounds. He had short, black hair, brown eyes and a goatee.

He was last seen driving an older model red Honda Civic, described as a

two-door hatchback with gold chains hanging from its rearview mirror.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Costa Mesa Police Department

at (714) 754-5205.