IRVINE (CNS) - A Northwood High School student is suspected of groping at least three women joggers in Irvine since mid-December, police reported today.
Keenan Al-Sayed Ahmad, 18, was arrested Friday afternoon, shortly after he allegedly groped the buttocks of a woman jogging on the Jeffrey Open Space Trail, said Kim Mohr of the Irvine Police Department. He posted bail and was released, she said.
In all three alleged attacks, the suspect was riding a skateboard, Mohr said. The other two attacks happened last month in the Woodbury neighborhood, she said.
A woman jogging at Groveland and Townsend was groped between 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 by a skateboarder, Mohr said. About 8:15 p.m. the following day, a woman jogging at Rolling Green and Statuary was shoved down to the ground and struggled with the suspect as he tried to stop her from shouting for help by covering her mouth with his hands, Mohr said. When that failed, he groped her before fleeing, she said.
Annie Brown, a spokeswoman for the Irvine Unified School District, released a statement saying the IUSD ``is cooperating with the Irvine Police Department as they conduct a thorough investigation into this matter.''
``According to police, at this time, there is no indication that IUSD students have been injured or harmed or that this case is connected to Northwood High School,'' she said. ``The safety and well-being of our students continues to be Northwood High School's and the district's top priority.''
Northwood High ``will have counselors and staff available to support students who may be experiencing a variety of emotions and concerns,'' she said. ``Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Detective Keith Herter at (949) 724-7183.''
Photo: Irvine Police Department