(BCN) -- An elementary school in El Cerrito was alarmed after a man touched one of its students through a fence on Thursday afternoon. According to the El Cerrito Police Department, it was alerted to a report of a suspicious person outside Fairmont Elementary School. School officials said a man on the sidewalk outside the school on Eureka Avenue stuck his fingers through the fence and touched a student's hair and neck. The suspect then fled eastbound on Eureka Avenue towards Centennial Park. School staff quickly reported what happened to a school administrator and the police department. Officers were unable to find the suspect after they arrived at the school. Milpitas thieves target copper wire in utility poles and streetlights According to the victim and witnesses, the suspect appeared to be an older Asian man. He wore black clothing, a baseball cap, and a black N95 face mask. Investigators are asking community members to check their home security video surveillance recordings or automobile video recordings if the suspect was seen in the area at that time. According to police, they are "working closely with school officials during this investigation to ensure the safety of the students and staff." "The police department will be providing extra patrols around the campus, and the district will be providing additional support and enhanced safety measures," they added. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the El Cerrito Police Department at 510-237-3233. Informants can also leave an anonymous tip at 510-215-4435 or investigations@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us Copyright © 2025 Bay City News, Inc. ...read more read less