A Saugus resident, female 14, reported she was walking to meet some friends in Central Park about 8:45 p.m. on Saturday evening.

She was near a group of trees when suddenly a man grabbed her arm and pulled her to one of the trees. He pushed her up against the tree, leaned his body up to hers, and pushed his face toward her in an attempt to kiss her. The victim, told the suspect, “Stop,” and turned her head to the side. The victim said that she heard the sound of someone approaching. The suspect suddenly released her and took off running. The victim located her friends and immediately called home. Deputies were notified once the victim was safe at home.

The Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station is seeking public assistance from anyone who may have seen this man. The suspect is described only as a male Hispanic, between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 8 inches in height, wearing all black with a black beanie.

All residents are asked to be extra vigilant in reporting suspicious persons matching the above description. Don’t delay; call 9-1-1.

By taking a few precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk to yourself, and also discourage those who are intent on committing crime.

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials are offering the following personal safety tips:

•Always be alert and aware of the people around you, especially if you are alone or it is dark.
•Use the buddy system — Children should never walk alone
•Educate yourself concerning prevention tactics.
•Be aware of locations and situations which would make you vulnerable to crime, such as alleys, dark parking lots, and remote, unlit, or sparsely traveled walkways and pathways.
•Whenever possible, travel or walk with a friend.
•Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
•Avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys where someone could hide.
•Walk confidently, and at a steady pace.
•Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street when other risk factors are present, continue walking.
•Don’t set a pattern – use different routes of travel and varying times when walking, exercising, or leaving your house or place of business.
•Immediately report suspicious activity or persons in your neighborhoods to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
•Be a good witness – Try to get a vehicle license plate number. If you can’t get the vehicle license plate number try to get as much identifying information about the vehicle or person as you can. Such as, color, make, model, damage, type of rims, stickers, etc. pertaining to vehicles. Clothing, scars, tattoos, oddities, etc. pertaining to people.
•Take a cell phone picture or video of the person or vehicle if you can safely do so. Save/store the information in your phone or PDA.
•Write down license plates of unfamiliar vehicles in your neighborhoods in case something comes of them at a later date. The information may solve a case should a crime be occurring.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information available at this time.

If You See Something, Say Something! Anyone with information about a local crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.