San Diego

Stranger Accused of Following Girl, 13, in East County

Reika Gibson, the victim, spoke with NBC 7 Friday evening, saying she wanted her story to be heard because she wanted others to be aware of such incidents

A 13-year-old girl was allegedly followed by a stranger Friday as she walked her dog in unincorporated El Cajon, authorities said.

The incident occurred at 12:55 p.m. on the 400 block of Hart Drive, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO).

A man, described as being around 25 years old, drove past the teenager and honked his horn. He then drove eastbound toward Victor Street and made a U-turn. When the victim walked into a driveway, the suspect followed her in his vehicle.

The teen, Reika Gibson, spoke with NBC 7 Friday evening, saying she wants her story to be heard because she wants others to be aware of such incidents.

"I didn’t know what the heck he was going to do," Gibson said. "If he was going to pull me in his car, take me somewhere, do something to me, hurt me."

According to SDSO, the suspect asked Gibson several personal questions. 

"I didn’t know what was going on at the time, so I just looked over to see what he was doing over there," Gibson said. "And he made a U-turn, and he came back and he drove up to me, and he tried talking to me, asking where I lived and how old I was." 

“I was like, 'Oh my God, this guy is probably going to try to kidnap me, pull me in his car,'" she added.

The suspect drove off after seeing a vehicle turn into the driveway behind him.

Gibson said she's afraid the suspect lives in the area and he might come back. 

"I just really don’t want to be out here during any time of the day," she said. "This was in the middle of the day. People don’t usually do that in the middle of the day."

Gibson added that from now on, she will always keep her phone on her and have someone go with her on walks. She also had some advice for anyone who might be in a similar situation.

"Just make sure that there’s nothing strange that’s happening and that they’re totally okay," Gibson said.

The suspect was described as thin, unshaven, with short black hair, SDSO said. He was driving a newer, four-door sedan.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (888)858-8477. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

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