Police issue alert for serial molester
Chinese man in his 30s preyed on three young girls in Choa Chu Kang
By Tanya Fong(http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/avantgo/story/0,5588,285758,00.html
A SERIAL molester who has already preyed on three young girls is on the loose in the Choa Chu Kang area, and a search is on for him.
Police are now looking for the suspect, a Chinese man in his 30s, who allegedly lured his victims by asking them to help him do sit-ups before molesting them.
All Neighbourhood Police Centres in Jurong Division, as well as the nine Residents' Committees and Neighbourhood Watch Groups in Choa Chu Kang, have been roped in to help look out for him.
A photo-fit of him, pieced together based on the victims' description, was released to the press yesterday.
Police said the incidents occurred between Oct 7 and this Monday.
The suspect allegedly asked the girls for help in doing sit-ups. After they agreed, he led them to quiet corridors in Housing Board blocks and molested them.
The girls, the oldest of whom is 13, all said they had been 'touched inappropriately'.
In the first incident, he approached a 10-year-old on Oct 7 at about 2pm at a HDB block in Choa Chu Kang Central.
The girl was on her way home from school at the time.
When contacted by The Straits Times, the girl's father, a 39-year-old warehouse supervisor, said she was led to the third floor of the block.
'After he put his hand at her private area, she knew something was wrong because my wife and I always tell her nobody should do that,' he said.
'She then told the man her mother was waiting for her as she had to go home for tuition, and ran away.'
He added: 'I'm angry because it happened in the next block, and it's going to be harder for her to get over it because it's so near home.'
The second incident involving a 12-year-old occurred on Nov 11 at a void deck in Jalan Teck Whye.
The third incident, which involved the 13-year-old, occurred at a block in Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2 on Monday.
The victims described their molester as about 1.7m tall and slim built.
On all three occasions, he wore a black T-shirt, black shorts and sports shoes.
Said the police: 'The description of the culprit given by the victims in all these cases seems to suggest it is the same man who is responsible.'
Anyone who spots the suspect should call 999. Those with information on him should call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000.
The police said schools in the area will be alerted to the situation so they can remind their students to be more careful.
Several primary schools in the vicinity contacted by The Straits Times said their students are constantly reminded to stay vigilant for their personal safety.
Said Madam Kok Chow Hiong, principal of South View Primary in Choa Chu Kang Central: 'I give them regular reminders. I tell them, 'Scream. Don't just stand there. Run away and look for the nearest adult.' If they are going home on their own, they should look for a partner who stays in the same block.'
Police have also advised parents to warn their children not to be taken in by tales from strangers or to follow them.
The public have also been reminded to be alert to anyone loitering or behaving suspiciously near schools or HDB staircase landings.
Parents in the area contacted yesterday said the news was worrying, and added that they will take more precautions.
Mr David Leong, 39, the businessman father of two girls aged eight and 11 who lives in Bukit Panjang, said: 'I always tell my daughters not to listen to anyone, even if they claim to be my friend.
'They usually take the lift by themselves after alighting from their school bus.
'Maybe now I'll get our maid to bring them home.' -- ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY HO AI LI