Officials Remind Youths to be Careful, Following Possible Sexual Assault of Girl Outside of Issaquah

The Issaquah School District on Tuesday afternoon reminded parents and students about overall safety, following a State Patrol report of a possible sexual assault involving an Issaquah teen just outside that city.

The State Patrol is seeking witnesses to what happened.

The assault occurred Feb. 28 after the teen, a minor, was walking on state Route 900 around 5:30 pm, Trooper Julie Startup said in a statement. A man, believed to be 19 to 25 years old picked her up in a dark blue pickup truck.

He took her to different locations, held her against her will and let her go about 30 minutes later, the State Patrol reported, adding that the assault took place outside of Issaquah.

The man is about 5 feet 6 inches and was wearing a blue sweatshirt and blue jeans. He reportedly speaks with an accent. Inside the bed of the truck, officials said, was a blue metal toolbox. It had writing on it.

The State Patrol asks that anyone with information regarding this assault contact Stacy Moate, a detective, at 425-401-7746.

Issaquah School District officials shared these safety tips with students and the community:

• Never talk to a stranger
• Never let a stranger get too close, whether the stranger is in a car or walking
• Never tell a stranger any personal information, such as name, age, or address
• Try to walk in pairs with a friend or an adult
• Stick to safe, well-lit paths when walking
• Do not obstruct hearing with iPods or portable music players when walking or waiting outside
• If a stranger tries to grab you, yell as loudly as you can and run away
• Immediately alert an adult if you are approached by a suspicious person