UPDATE: The El Cerrito Police Department closed this investigation and determined there is no threat to the school or the community after the student involved recanted the story and a follow-up investigation found no evidence of such an incident.
El Cerrito police are asking for public assistance in locating a man who inappropriately touched a student through the fence at Fairmont Elementary School on Thursday.
At around 12:35 p.m., school officials reported to police that a man standing on the sidewalk outside of the school on Eureka Avenue stuck his fingers through the fence and touched a student on their hair and neck. The man then ran eastbound toward Centennial Park.
“School staff were on the playground and quickly notified a school administrator and the police department,” police said.
Officers arrived on the scene within two minutes but were unable to locate the suspect.
The victim and witnesses described the suspect as an older Asian man wearing black clothing, a baseball cap and a black N95 mask over his face.
Anyone in the area with personal home security video or vehicle video recordings is asked to check the footage to look for the suspect.
“The El Cerrito Police Department is working closely with school officials during this investigation to ensure the safety of the students and staff,” officials said. “The police department will be providing extra patrols around the campus, and the district will be providing additional support and enhanced safety measures.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the El Cerrito Police Department at 510-237-3233 (non-emergency dispatch). Anonymous tips can be left at 510-215-4435 or by email at [email protected].
