MAN SOUGHT FOR SEXUALLY TOUCHING WOMEN IN STORES

Sheriff ’s officials say he assaulted women in North County

N O RT H C O U N T Y

Sheriff ’s investigators are seeking help from the public to identify a man accused of sexually battering women on at least three occasions at Nor th County stores in the week before Christmas.

According to investigators, the man approached the victims f rom behind, grabbed their shoulders and then pressed himself against their backsides, sheriff ’s Lt. Ricardo Lopez said. When the women would turn around to confront the man, he claimed to have confused them for a friend.

Sur veillance videos from the stores showed the man touching his genitals underneath his clothing before and after touching his victims, Lopez said i n a news release. The f irst of the reported incidents happened about 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Target on University Drive in Vista, according to Lopez. On Christmas Eve, the same man allegedly attacked two more women — one around 4:30 p.m. at the Michaels on University Drive in Vista, and the second around 6:30 p.m. at the Ralphs on South Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos.

The victims described the assailant as a 20- to 30year-old Asian man, roughly 5 feet 8 inches tall and 140 to 150 pounds, with a thin build, pale skin and straight, dark hair.

During the alleged Dec. 24 incidents, he wore a gray baseball cap, light-colored face mask, red zip-up hoodie over a gray T-shir t, g ym shor ts and running shoes. Surveillance footage provided by the Sheriff ’s Department showed he appeared to be wearing mismatched ankle-leng th socks — one light, one dark

— or possibly a brace on his left ankle.

During the Dec. 18 incident, he wore a dark baseball hat with a red or orange brim, a light-colored face mask, a blue or gray jacket, shor ts and white athletic shoes with white ankleleng th socks.

Sheriff ’s investigators say he was seen driving a silver sedan.

Anyone who recognizes the man is urged to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to a felony arrest in the case.