Lewd and Crude

by Jill Wagner

A 44-year old Copiague man is behind bars---accused of masturbating in front of young teens.  But police never would have made the arrest without the quick thinking of some of the alleged victims. 

I spoke to the mother of one of these teens.  She says her 14 year old daughter was walking to school on Wednesday morning with three other young girls.  They were on Great Neck Road near Bethpage Road; that's about a half mile from the Copiague Middle School. 

She says a mini van pulled along side the girls.  The man inside rolled down his window and said hello.  The girls then saw that the man was masturbating.  Despite being horrified, the girls had the acumen to write down the license plate and give it to the school's principal.  

School officials told police.  Police staked out the area the next morning.  Sure enough, they say the suspect, Raul Lizcano, was back at it.  They arrested him on Public Lewdness and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. 

But now police say this same thing may have been going on--unreported--as far back as September.  They're asking for the public's help in identifying anymore victims. 

Police say the man drives a green 1994 Chrysler minivan.  The license plate is ACU 7872.  He also may have driven a white four-door vehicle. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1800-220-TIPS.

Comments

[SUSAN L.RUDNICK]

I APPLAUDE THE GIRLS SMART ACTIONS AND FOR KEEPING A COOL HEAD ! ALSO TO THE SCHOOL PERSONNEL FOR MOVING QUICKLY TO THE POLICE .OUR YOUTH ARE SMART AND CONFIDENT! THEY DESERVE TO BE COMMENDED ON GETTING THIS MAN OFF OF OUR STREETS!!

[John]

You know, not to point fingers or blame the victim, but I was raised to know better than to get closer to a strange car. Think about where a girl that age needs to be standing to know what the guy was doing.

(Mind you, I also fail to see how "seeing a penis" is "Endangering the Welfare of a Child." Tacky, yes. Annoying, sure. But dangerous? Oh, well. I guess ya gotta charge him with something besides "creepy.")