Palo Alto police search for man accused of exposing himself to young girl

PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) -- The search is on in Palo Alto for the man who exposed himself to a young girl.

Police released a sketch Tuesday of the man they are searching for.

Those who live on Melville Avenue are shocked by what happened Monday before sunset. A 13-year-old girl was walking her two dogs when she says a man stopped to pet her dogs.

"As he stood up he lifted his sweatshirt and exposed himself to her," said Palo Alto police Lt. Zach Perron.

The victim quickly walked home, while the man followed her for a nearly a block. Then he walked toward Rinconada Park, across the street. The girl's mother followed him for a short time while she called police.

Detectives scoured the nearby park, elementary school, zoo, and museum, but found nothing.

"We're absolutely concerned about it. It's simply not behavior we want to have in our city or anywhere else. It's completely inappropriate," Perron said.

Police hope someone will spot the suspect and call them. They're worried he could escalate.