Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OREM — Police continue to search for a man in a sexual assault that happened earlier this month. The Orem Police Department has assigned three detectives to identify and track down the assailant.
On Feb. 5, an 11-year-old girl was walking to school at Cherry Hill Elementary when police say she was approached by a stranger. The victim said the man took her to a hidden area in a nearby church parking lot.
"No matter how good people think they are, there's always something left behind," said Lt. Craig Martinez of the Orem Police Department.
Police say they have physical evidence the sexual assault happened. Several witnesses have come forward and said they saw the 11-year-old victim and the man together the day of the incident. Police have only released a vague description. He's described as a Caucasian or Hispanic man in his late teens to mid-20s wearing a gray hoodie and black tennis shoes.
"Every day we'll get a tip or two about somebody that they've seen in that area that matches that description," Martinez said.
So far, the tips haven't led the case anywhere. Police officers have started knocking on doors and interviewing registered sex offenders in the area.
"We talk to them and wanna find out where they were during that time — see if they match the description. We've showed the victim several photographs to see if she can pick out anybody," Martinez said.
"You know, I've looked around to see if there's anyone walking around that I might be suspicious of," said parent Janis Green.
Related Stories:
11-year-old girl sexually assaulted on way to school, police say
An 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on her way to school in Orem Wednesday, police said.Parents in the area said their concern for their children's safety has increased. They continue to take extra precautions.
"We're just making sure we're taking them to school, car-pooling more, making sure they're always coming together, and watching them go through the school," said parent Jesse Woodhouse.
"What can we do to make our neighborhood safer?" asked John Patten of the Alpine School District.
Cherry Hill Elementary has been working with its volunteer Watchdogs program to keep extra eyes on alert.
"Supervision has been increased before and after school as well as during school," said Patten.
School officials said they have an on-campus counselor available. Six students have sought counseling so far. Police said the case has touched their entire department. They are determined to make an arrest.
"They don't want to give up on this one just yet," Martinez said.
A seminar will be held within the next week for parents with children at Cherry Hill Elementary. Police will meet to discuss how safety can be increased within the surrounding neighborhood.
