Gilbert man accused of exposing himself to student at Maricopa bus stop
MARICOPA, Ariz. - Police say they are investigating an alleged indecent exposure incident that happened at a bus stop in Maricopa.
Maricopa Police say the incident happened on Aug. 15 near Bedford Drive and Rancho El Dorado Parkway, and the victim was a 14-year-old Maricopa High School student.
The suspect was identified and located a day later in Gilbert. He was not identified.
"Following several investigative leads, Criminal Investigation Division personnel developed information leading them to an adult male in the City of Gilbert," the department said. "While there was insufficient evidence for an arrest, MPD is working in partnership with the Pinal County Attorney’s Office to see that appropriate criminal charges are filed against the suspect."
The Maricopa Unified School District provided the following safety tips for parents to review with their children:
Advice for children
- Never go anywhere with someone you don’t know. Always stay in areas where you can be seen by others.
- Stay away from adults asking for help. If someone is asking for directions or claiming to need assistance, keep your distance.
- Don’t let strangers into your home. No matter what reason they give, do not open the door to unfamiliar individuals.
- If you feel uncomfortable or scared, walk away. Trust your instincts and leave the situation.
- If someone grabs you, act quickly. Make your arm spin like a windmill, yell loudly, and run away.
- When riding your bike, keep the bike between you and the adult. This creates a barrier and helps maintain distance.
Advice for parents
- Supervise your children closely when they are outside your home or at the park.
- Ensure all outdoor activities are monitored. Children should not be left unsupervised in public areas.
- Teach your children to use any phone to call 911 in case of an emergency.
- Empower your children to say "no" if something feels wrong or makes them uncomfortable.
- Update your child's photo regularly. Take a photo at least once a year, and more frequently if they are under 5 years old.
"We hope these tips will help in discussing safety with your children," the district added. "Please make time to have this important conversation and reinforce the importance of staying safe and reporting concerning activity to a trusted adult. If you have any questions or need further assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to the Maricopa Police Department."