Sheriff’s investigators are trying to identify and track down a man who accosted an Eastvale boy walking home from school.
The assault happened about 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the 7300 block of Sumner Avenue, near Pheasant Knoll Road, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Sgt. Edward Soto said the victim, whose name and age were not released, was headed to his residence after leaving school for the day and noticed an unkempt man walking toward him.
Soto said the suspect abruptly “sat on the ground in some bushes, concealing himself from view” as the youth drew closer.
“As the student walked past the subject, the subject lunged towards the student and grabbed his ankle,” the sergeant said. “The student broke free and immediately ran away.”
The assailant chased the boy a short distance before veering off in another direction and disappearing from sight, according to Soto.
The boy told his family what had occurred, and the sheriff’s department was notified.
Deputies searched the area but could not find the suspect, who’s described as white man in his 50s with a gray beard. He was wearing a red hat, a light jacket with gold or tan vertical stripes on the sleeves and light blue pants that were dirty and ripped.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff’s Jurupa Valley station at (951) 955-2600.