Women groped while walking on neighborhood streets

Two groping incidents last Wednesday have Pleasanton police warning pedestrians to take precautionary measures when walking or jogging by paying close attention to others and having a companion or a leashed dog come along.

The warnings followed two separate incidents of a male suspect groping female pedestrians. The first incident occurred at 7:00 pm in the area of a heavy-set man groping the buttocks of women on Pleasanton streets.

A woman walking alone from downtown to her home near Hopyard and Golden roads near Trinity Lutheran Church told police a man had followed her. As she reached a walkway in the neighborhood, he quickly walked past her and groping her buttocks.

About an hour later, a man matching the same description followed two women who were walking on Case Avenue near Pleasanton Middle School, then grabbed one of the women as he walked past them before running into an apartment complex parking lot on the street.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned African American male, 20-40 years old, 5’6-5’10” tall and weighing 230-250 pounds. He has a bald or closely shaved head.

At the time of the incidents he was wearing a horizontally-striped blue and white polo style shirt which had wider blue stripes than white stripes. The suspect was also wearing long blue denim shorts which had a design on the rear pockets.

At no time did the suspect attempt to pull the victims or otherwise restrict their movements.

Anyone with information about the possible identity is asked to call the Pleasanton Police Department at 925-931-5100.

In addition to their earlier suggested precautions, the Pleasanton Police Department reminds residents that if they are wearing headphones while walking or jogging to use them only in one ear so surrounding sounds can still be heard.

Other suggestions from the police department:

• Always have a cell phone and carry an object such as keys or a walking stick to be used as a defensive weapon if necessary;

• Walk in well-traveled and lighted areas and know your surroundings;

• Tell a friend or loved one of your route and estimated time of return;

• If you believe you are being followed, do not hesitate calling police and go to a nearby business or well-traveled and lighted area. Suspects in these types of crimes generally like anonymity and are highly discouraged when their presence is noted and any attention is drawn to them.