Tempe police are on the hunt for a man accused of trailing three teenage girls near a local park, an act that has unsettled the community. The suspect was allegedly spotted following the 14-year-olds on Thursday at around 5:45 p.m. near McClintock Drive and Guadalupe Road; the girls, sensing the danger, reached out to someone who helped them escape their follower and immediately contacted law enforcement, according to AZFamily.
The individual in question is described as a Hispanic male, around 5 feet 10 inches tall with shoulder-length dark brown hair, and a mustache, and he was seen wearing black pants, dark-colored shoes, and a black short-sleeve shirt at the time of the incident, details provided by ABC15. Residents of the area, which is often frequented by families and deemed to be a safe space, expressed their distress and unease, “It’s kind of creepy that somebody would do something like that to little kids,” Christine Stevens, a local resident, told AZFamily; another resident Penny Larsen echoed the sentiment highlighting the girls' safety in numbers.
Tempe authorities are careful not to speculate about the suspect's intent, however, they are urging the community to come forward with any information that may lead to his identification and are actively investigating the details surrounding the unsettling event. Concerned citizens are welcome to provide tips to the Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311, and there is an option to remain anonymous for those who prefer it.
