New surveillance video is offering a look at a suspect accused in the sexual battery of a 10-year-old girl at a Poway apartment complex, as sheriff’s investigators continue their search.
The incident was reported around 7 p.m. Saturday at the SOFI Apartments on Midland Road, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators say the assault happened shortly after 6 p.m., and the suspect is not in custody.
Video obtained by NBC 7 shows the alleged attacker leaving the complex on a scooter just after 6:04 p.m. The same person was seen entering the property about two hours earlier and making another pass through the complex around 5:52 p.m.
Residents say the reported assault happened inside a laundry building within the complex.
Christine Riney, who lives nearby, said she recognized the suspect after investigators released an image captured from a tenant’s security camera.
“That’s pretty scary,” Riney said.
Riney said she had seen the man on a scooter before and realized it was him when deputies shared the photo. Her truck is visible in the background of that image.
“People need to be vigilant. If their kids are out, they need to keep an eye on everything. Make sure you’re around because it can happen in an instant,” Riney said.
Investigators describe the suspect as a man between 30 and 40 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, with shaved black hair, a large nose, acne scars, bushy eyebrows and a beard. He was last seen wearing black sunglasses, a gray hoodie and black shorts.
Neighbors say the area where the suspect was seen is often filled with children, particularly near a bike rack in the parking lot where kids gather and play after school.
“They are usually like over here — like when I come home they are always over there I think they all play together,” Riney said.
Investigators say the girl was with a friend at the time of the assault. The two screamed, prompting the suspect to flee on his scooter.
“The weirdest part of it all was just like this random person zipping by on a scooter then coming and doing that to a child it was very very odd,” said a parent identified only as Vivian.
Vivian said she learned about the incident through a notification sent by Poway schools.
“Feeling sad about something like that affecting someone in our community,” Vivian said.
A letter sent to residents of the apartment complex states in part: “We understand incidents like this are concerning, and we are working with police on their investigation. You may see police on the property as their work continue.”
Detectives with the Sheriff’s Child Abuse Unit have taken over the investigation, and the newly obtained video is now part of the case.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.