BROCKTON, Mass. — Police are searching for a man who sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl while she was walking home from school in Brockton.
The teen was walking home from West Middle School on Tuesday when a man approached her in the driveway of a house on West Elm Street, police said in a statement Wednesday.
The victim managed to escape after a brief struggle and ran home, police said.
“Investigators are currently canvassing the area,” police said Wednesday.
Police described the man as a Black male in his 20s who is missing two front teeth. Police said the suspect was wearing a black shirt with multicolored lettering and gray pants, and riding a blue bicycle with white lettering.
“Like any parent, I’m a parent, make sure you’re vigilant and make sure your student is vigilant and they know their surroundings too,” said Darren Duarte, spokesperson for the Brockton Police Department. “This girl was able to get away, that’s a good thing.”
School police officers were notified about the incident on Wednesday.
“We are working closely with the Brockton Police Department to support the student and family affected by this deeply concerning incident and will work with the police to help in identifying a suspect,” Interim Superintendent Priya Tahiliani said in a statement.
“We have notified our school community and encourage students to remain vigilant and report anything they find concerning to a trusted adult,” Tahiliani said.
Neighbors are now hoping the suspect is caught soon.
“With a lot of people out there, hopefully watching this, hopefully they’ll find them fast before he has a chance to do it to anyone else,” said Laura Bezanson, who lives on West Elm Street.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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