Police pump up patrols in the Villages

Maricopa Police has pumped up patrols in the Villages at Rancho El Dorado in response to reports of a teenage bike rider who grabs at women as he passes by.

“An officer did respond on Saturday to this call for service,” said Maricopa Police Spokesman Sergeant Stephen Judd. “An area search was done, but no one matching the description was found.”

One woman reported that she blocked the boy from inappropriately grabbing at her by using a water bottle she was carrying as a shield of sorts. She described him as being about 14, and said in her case, she was near the main entrance to the Villages at about 2 p.m. when the attempted attack took place.

The woman said she was able to ward off the unwanted advance, thanks to signs someone else had posted in the area warning her of just that. Since then, she’s had another woman contact her to report that she experienced the same thing.

Maricopa Police have pledged to keep the matter in check.

“All shifts have been made aware of the incident, and patrols will be increased in the area,” Judd said.