Crime & Safety

Officials Remind Youths to be Careful, Following Possible Sexual Assault of Girl on Route 900

The teenage girl, a minor, was walking on state Route 900 on Feb. 28 when a male driver picked her up.

The Issaquah School District on Tuesday afternoon reminded parents and students about overall safety, following a Washington State Patrol report of a possible sexual assault involving an Issaquah teen just outside that city.

The State Patrol is seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed what happened.

The assault occurred Feb. 28 after the teen, a minor, was walking on state Route 900 around 5:30 p.m., Trooper Julie Startup said in a statement. A man picked her up in a dark blue midsize pickup truck near the intersection of 148th Avenue SE.

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He took the teen to several different locations and held her against her will before releasing the girl about 30 minutes later, the State Patrol reported, adding that the assault took place outside of Issaquah in unincorporated King County.

The man is described as Hispanic, between 19 and 25-years-old, stands about 5-feet, 6-inches tall, average build, and was wearing a blue sweatshirt, dark blue hat and blue jeans. He reportedly speaks with an accent. Inside the bed of the truck, officials said, was a blue metal toolbox with writing on it.

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The State Patrol asks that anyone with information regarding this assault contact Detective Stacy Moate, at 425-401-7746. The Detective reported more than 20 tips were called in within 24 hours of the first news release of the incident, but the State Patrol is still trying to track down the suspect.

The State Patrol has contacted the Renton Police Department and other nearby departments to see if there have been other similar incidents, Moate said.

Issaquah School District officials shared these safety tips with students and the community:

  • Never talk to a stranger
  • Never let a stranger get too close, whether the stranger is in a car or walking
  • Never tell a stranger any personal information, such as name, age, or address
  • Try to walk in pairs with a friend or an adult
  • Stick to safe, well-lit paths when walking
  • Do not obstruct hearing with iPods or portable music players when walking or waiting outside
  • If a stranger tries to grab you, yell as loudly as you can and run away
  • Immediately alert an adult if you are approached by a suspicious person


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