A car believed to be involved in reports of an adult male soliciting children and teenagers for sex has been positively identified by two of the victims.

Wednesday, March 22, 2000

A car believed to be involved in reports of an adult male soliciting children and teenagers for sex has been positively identified by two of the victims.

A subject in a white vehicle has been reported to have solicited three individuals in three separate incidents.

Two reports were made on March 16 , when two boys, ages 15 and 16, in separate incidents were accosted by a subject. In a similar incident two weeks ago, a man matching the description pursued a male subject walking from his disabled car along Fourth Street NW and in the area of Austin Medical Center.

Earlier this week, the Austin Police Department school liaison officer was talking with a crossing guard, when a car matching the victims’ description passed by. The officer followed the car and talked with the driver, who matched the suspect’s profile. The driver was not arrested.

The officer took a picture of the vehicle, which was identified by the students as "positively the vehicle that propositioned the students."

According to the Austin Police Department, a photo line-up is planned to identify the suspect.

In the latest incident, the boys were walking to classes at Austin High School Thursday morning, between 7:30 and 7:50 a.m.

In each incident, the teenagers described a Hispanic male, late 20s, heavyset with close-cropped hair and a thin moustache, driving an older "boxy" model white vehicle.

In each case, the subject solicited oral sex and in one case, the subject offered marijuana to one of the teenagers.

The subject was rebuffed each time, but drove around the block along Fourth Street NW and stopped to intercept the teenagers who continued walking to classes at AHS.

Last week, Austin Public Schools officials notified all schools and in-school child care providers of the possible dangers.

Anyone having information about the subject or the vehicle is asked to call 437-9400.

Two retail employees face possible theft charges

A second Younkers employee faces possible charges, according to an Austin Police Department report, stemming from merchandise theft.

The 17-year old told investigators that merchandise worth approximately $618.00 was taken from the store during her employment at the department store.

Earlier this week, Katie Thorsheim, 18, of Austin, admitted to her part in the thefts.

The pair is alleged to have given away clothing and other items to friends, while working at the store at OakPark Mall, between Nov. 1 and March 18.

In typical instances, allegedly one of the girls would collect payment for an item purchased, then either give the friend other merchandise or allow the friend to place unpaid-for-items in the sack and leave the store.

According to Austin police, four additional individuals are believed to have received merchandise from the employees.