Glendale police release sketch of man who allegedly fondled girl’s breast

Police have released a sketch of a man who they say allegedly fondled a Glendale High School student’s breast as she walked to campus.

Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the man because the investigation into the Dec. 3 assault is growing cold.

“With leads running out, we want people to be aware,” Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

No similar incidents have been reported since Dec. 3.

The 14-year-old girl and her friend were walking to school about 8:15 a.m. in the 1000 block of Elk Avenue when the man walked up to her and grabbed the top of her shoulders with both hands, according to Glendale police.

The man then turned the girl slightly to her right and placed his right palm on her left breast. He laughed and walked away west on Elk Avenue, police said.

The girl “looked down because she was shocked and didn’t know what to do,” police said.

The girl and her friend continued walking to school so they wouldn’t be late for their first class and reported the incident to their Spanish-language teacher, police said.

The man was described as Middle Eastern, 33 years old, about 5 feet 11 inches tall and 180 pounds, with black hair and black eyes. He had a beard, which was described as exhibiting “a couple of days of growth,” police said.

He was wearing a black, sleeveless T-shirt with an unknown yellow design and black sweat pants with yellow vertical stripes along the sides

Anyone with information about the incident was encouraged to call police Det. Chris Krivak in the Violent Crimes Bureau at (818) 548-3106. To remain anonymous, call Glendale Crime Stoppers at (818) 507-7867.

-- Veronica Rocha, Times Community News

Follow Veronica Rocha on Google+ and on Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA.