Dragnet For Man Who Tried to Assault Boy in Restroom

A 7-year-old boy using a restroom stall at Crown Books was traumatized Wednesday night when a man tried to crawl into the stall with him.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is looking for a man matching the description of the suspect, whose appearance was confirmed by a member of the boy's family.

Authorities today released a composite sketch of the man, who was described as an African-American in his 50s with short black hair and a mustache. He was between 5-foot-8 and 6 feet tall, and weighs about 180 pounds. He was wearing a blue and white shirt and dark pants.

The incident took place at the Rancho Santa Margarita bookstore about 8:15 p.m., when the boy—at the store with his mother, father and sister—used the restroom by himself at the rear of the store, according to sheriff spokesman Jim Amormino.

The boy was in a toilet stall when the man, in a neighboring stall, attempted to crawl under the partition and grabbed at the boy.

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Amormino said the suspect got his body about halfway into the stall before the boy escaped. He added that the boy was traumatized and wasn't sure whether the man was actually able to grab hold of his leg or not.

"His parents saw him and saw that he had a terrified look on his face and was somewhat traumatized," Amormino said. "A family member did observe a man who closely resembled the suspect leave the store in a hurry."

Police were checking records of registered sex offenders to see if anyone fit the suspect's description, and were canvassing the area for witnesses, Amormino said.

Anyone with information should contact the OCSD at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227).

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