Police investigate after man allegedly grabs teen walking to Goodyear school
Feb 27, 2020, 10:16 AM | Updated: 2:42 pm
(Facebook Photo/Desert Edge High School)
(Facebook Photo/Desert Edge High School)
PHOENIX – Police are investigating after a teenage girl reported being grabbed by a man while she walked to a West Valley high school Thursday morning.
A 14-year-old student was heading to Desert Edge High School around 7:30 a.m. when a man allegedly grabbed her from behind in a residential area, according to the Goodyear Police Department.
The suspect let go of the girl and fled on foot after seeing vehicle driving in their direction, police said.
Police originally said they were investigating the case as a kidnapping attempt. But they later said the evidence did not support that claim and instead are treating it as an assault allegation.
“The girl is unharmed, and it is an open and active investigation,” Lisa Berry, Goodyear Police spokeswoman, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
The man was described as Hispanic and in his 30s. He is clean-shaven and was wearing shorts and a beanie cap.
Police believe it was an isolated incident. No schools were placed on lockdown.
Anybody with information about the incident, which occurred near 159th Avenue and Jefferson Street, was asked to call police at 623-932-1220.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ashley Flood contributed to this report.
