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Palo Alto Police Search For Indecent Exposure Suspect

PALO ALTO (CBS SF) – Police released a sketch Thursday of a man who allegedly exposed himself to a 12-year-old girl Wednesday afternoon in Palo Alto.

The incident was reported to police around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, when a caller informed a dispatcher of an indecent exposure that just happened in the 2200 block of Louis Road, police said.

The girl was out walking her dog on a sidewalk when a car pulled up beside her, according to police.

She met eyes with the driver, who was allegedly masturbating, according to police.

The girl told police she immediately took out her cellphone, at which point the driver said, "I'm sorry" and drove away heading south on Louis Road towards Oregon Expressway.

The victim ran home and told a parent, who contacted authorities, police said.

The suspect was described as an overweight Hispanic man in his 40s with short dark hair and a dark complexion. The victim told police the suspect was wearing a T-shirt and long pants that were unzipped and opened.

The girl described the suspect vehicle as an older-model silver four-door sedan, possibly a Honda or Toyota, that she said was "dirty," police said.

Investigators are looking into whether the case is related to others in Palo Alto or other local communities, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Police Department's 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413. Those who wish to remain anonymous may send an email to paloalto@tipnow.org or send a text message or voicemail to (650) 383-8984.

© Copyright 2016 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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