Colorado Springs police have a warning for parents. They say a man is approaching teens again and offering them money to watch him perform a sex act.
This is now the fourth time it’s happened in two weeks. All incidents have been near schools.
Police say the man drove up to a teen on Meadowland and Pearl, not far from Russell Middle School in District 11, around 3 p.m. Tuesday. Investigators say the man acted as though he was lost and asked her for help. Police say when she refused, he asked her if she wanted to “make some money” and offered $100 to watch him masturbate. The teenage girl ran away.
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Less than 10 minutes later and less than a mile away, he approached another teenage girl on Pearl and Park Vista. He once again acted like he was lost and asked the same question, but when the girl tried to walk away, police say the suspect started pleading with her and offered her $200. The victim was able to get away.
The suspect is described as a white male in his 30s, with brown hair. He was reportedly wearing a military-style camouflage, long-sleeved shirt or jacket. During the first incident, police say it was reported that he was wearing a camouflage hat. In the second, not hat was reported, but police were told he was wearing chrome sunglasses.
Two weeks ago, there were two other very similar incidents near Doherty High School. Police say a man drove up to a girl in the area of Austin Bluffs and Academy, and offered her money to watch him masturbate. A few minutes later, he approached two other girls near Austin Bluffs and Dublin. Police say all the victims got away.
Investigators are not 100 percent sure it’s the same man, but they are telling 11 News that it is the same MO. They are very concerned, and they want parents to be sure to talk with their children.
Kidpower, a nonprofit that teaches children about stranger awareness, offers some helpful tips. They say walking to and from school is a vulnerable time for students. Make sure kids have an escape plan if they find themselves in a situation like this. It’s always best to run and scream for help.
Springs police say this case is being investigated as solicitation of child prostitution, a felony in the state of Colorado.
Anyone with information on this suspect’s identity or whereabouts are encouraged to call the CSPD at 444-7000 or call Crime Stoppers and remain anonymous at 634-STOP.
