Police Seeking Man Who Molested Girl, 12

Deputy sheriffs were searching for a man who molested a 12-year-old girl near her home Thursday night, officials said.

The girl was sitting in a greenbelt near Esperanza Road and Fairlynn Boulevard about 7:30 p.m. when a man approached her and put his arm around her neck, Sheriff’s Lt. Richard Paddock said.

He pulled out a switchblade and threatened to cut the girl if she screamed, she told authorities. He proceeded to cut a hole in her blouse and fondled her, but stopped and fled when he heard a noise in the bushes.

Police believe the attacker lives locally because people in the area said they have seen a man by that description. He is white, in his 20s, with shaggy hair, about 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a purple shirt and baggy shorts.

Some local residents told police they had seen a man that matched the attacker’s description earlier Thursday at a local bar.

“We have some pretty strong leads on this case,” Paddock said.