A 14-year-old student walking to school on Portillo Road in Spring Hill told deputies she saw a man standing beside a dark-colored pickup truck near a nearby construction site, reportedly engaging in an indecent act, sometime between 7:15 a.m. and 8 a.m. Tuesday. The man reportedly smiled at her as she crossed the road to avoid him, then drove off, circling the area before she lost sight of him. He has not been identified.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, a suspicious incident involving an unknown male was reported near Explorer K-8 School. As detailed by Tampa Bay Beacons, the student described the truck as a dark-colored, four-door model, possibly blue, and said the man may have been wearing tan or khaki pants. The truck may also have had electrical equipment in its bed, though no further details on that equipment have been confirmed.
Deputies Canvass the Area as Detectives Follow Up
Deputies canvassed the area around the school following the report, and detectives are continuing to follow up on the incident, Tampa Bay Beacons reported. The suspect remains unidentified, and no arrest or charges have been announced. The sheriff's office is conducting additional patrols in the area during school commute hours as the investigation continues.
The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information, or anyone who may recognize the man or his vehicle, to come forward. Parents, students, and residents in the Spring Hill area are being asked to remain vigilant as detectives work to identify the man seen near the school.
Safety Reminders for Parents and Students
Parents are encouraged to discuss personal safety with their children and remind them to report any suspicious behavior to a trusted adult or law enforcement, per the same account. Students are advised to avoid approaching or engaging with unfamiliar individuals who make them feel uncomfortable, and anyone who observes suspicious activity near a school is urged to contact law enforcement directly.
Anyone with information on the case can contact Hernando County Crime Stoppers, which accepts anonymous tips by phone at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477), by text, or online through the Crime Stoppers website. Tipsters remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.
