(This story has been updated to include the Kent Police chief’s comments. As of Thursday afternoon, the person in question was still at large.)
Kent Police are investigating a Dec. 16 incident at Kent-Meridian High School in which a man naked from the waist down jumped out at and grabbed a female student who was walking to school via the bike trail in a wooded area north of French Field.
According to a letter from K-M Principal Wade Berringer that was sent home to parents and posted on the Kent-Meridian Web site, the student was walking along the trail at about 7 a.m. when a man jumped out from behind a bush and grabbed her.
The man is described as white, mid-30s, approximately 6 feet tall, skinny and without pants.
The student broke free from the man and reported the incident to a teacher and Kent-Meridian Safety Services. Kent police were contacted and are investigating the case.
“We are very actively pursuing this case,” Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan said in a phone interview Thursday morning. “We are canvassing the area and knocking on doors. We are not waiting for information to come to us.”
Strachan said the department has made the case a high priority.
“We take it very seriously when there is any type of sexual contact that is random or by a stranger,” Strachan said.
The man who grabbed the girl did not use a weapon or indicate that he had a weapon.
“But that does not make it any less serious,” Strachan said.
Strachan said students walking to school should be aware of their surroundings and try not to walk alone.
“Try to walk in groups or pairs and stay in lighted areas,” the chief said. “It is a pretty safe neighborhood, so one incident shouldn’t completely change how we do business (walking to and from school). But take extra precautions.”
K-M staff have been alerted to the incident and the visibility of security patrols around the school have been increased.
Students were reminded of the importance of following safe routes between classes and to and from school.
The letter to parents offers the following advice:
Tell an adult immediately if they see someone or something that makes them worry or feel uncomfortable;
Stay with friends. Don’t travel alone; and
Always stay in well-supervised areas.
If you have any information that will help police in their investigation, call 911 or K-M Safety Services at 253-373-4023.
KM staff have been alerted to the incident and the visibility of security patrols around the school have been increased.
Students were reminded of the importance of following safe routes between classes and to and from school.
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