UPDATE: Stranger approaches Turlock homes to seek DNA samples, other info on girls
Turlock police warned residents Monday about a man who approached two homes to ask for DNA samples and other details about girls living there.
It happened on Dec. 4 and 7 at locations that were not disclosed in a news release from the Turlock Police Department. The man asked parents to “provide fingerprints, hair samples and/or DNA from their daughters,” police said.
The visitor was described as a white man in his 40s, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, wearing “large 70s style glasses.”
In the first case, which happened at about 5 p.m. on Dec. 4, the man said he was with Amber Alert, a system used by law enforcement to publicize missing children, police said. He asked the resident for samples of a daughter’s hair and DNA, but was told to leave, the release said. The man was reported to be driving a gray, four-door Nissan sedan.
The second case happened the morning of Dec. 7. The same suspect told a resident that he had identifying information about an 18-year-old daughter and claimed that she had signed up for a child fingerprint kit. The resident suspected fraud and told the man to leave, the release said.
After information about the man began circulating Monday, Turlock Police received a call from a Riverbank resident who had a similar encounter with the man a few months ago.
Turlock Police Sgt. Mike Parmley said Tuesday officers are investigating that report as well as reaching out to Modesto Police to see if they have had any contact with the man.
People with information about these cases can contact police at 209-668-1200. They also can leave anonymous tips at Crime Stoppers, 209-521-4636.
This story was originally published December 9, 2019 at 6:29 PM.
