Park

Teen Groped By Man She Invited to Church, Police Say

While she prayed on a park bench, he groped her and pulled down his pants, according to investigators.

A teenager was groped Monday morning in a Fontana park by a man she approached to invite to church, police said.

The 18-year-old woman approached the man at Jack Bulik Park and, after inviting him to church, sat next to him on a park bench to pray.

While the victim’s eyes were closed, the man began groping her and pulled his pants down. She tried to run away and called 911, but the suspect held her down and threatened to hurt her if she didn’t cancel the call, according to the Fontana Police Department.

She hung up, but again broke free and ran through the park until she ran into another person, when the man fled the park.

The suspect is described as a 19-year-old man with brown eyes and brown hair. He is about 5 feet 8 inches tall with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a black and white shirt and black shorts.

He has a rosary tattoo on his left hand and "t" or cross tattoo on his chest.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fontana Police Department at 909-356-8477.

"I've been to this park many times," said Angie Zecena. "It seems like a safe neighborhood. It's just a scary thought that you can't really trust people. I'm definitely not coming to the park by myself." 

Tony Shin contributed to this report.

Contact Us