Quick action by Burbank police officers last Friday led to the arrest of a man who was accused of an assault on a student who was walking to a bus stop after leaving Huerta Middle School.
According to Sgt. Stephen Turner of the Burbank Police Department, “On Friday, April 19, 2024, at approximately 3:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Victory and Alameda in regards to a possible assault. The victim, a 13-year-old female, reported that while she was walking to the bus stop after school, she was approached by an unknown adult male who made inappropriate comments and touched her inappropriately”.
After getting a description of the suspect from the victim, police located the man, identified as 42-year-old Tyrone Del Mar, a transient a short distance away, where they took him into custody without incident.
After the arrest, detectives sent the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which reviewed the case and filed one count of lewd acts with a child under 14 years of age and one misdemeanor count of child annoying against Del Mar.
We will update this story later tonight. We have asked the school district to comment.
UPDATED: The BUSD sent out the following in response:
Good afternoon Burbank families,
This message is regarding the incident involving one of our students which occurred on Friday, April 19, 2024 near Huerta Middle School.
The Burbank Police Department has recently released a city wide bulletin with an update on an arrest made. The adult male arrested is currently in custody and being charged with a felony for assaulting a minor walking home from school.
Student safety is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring the security of our students. Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
We appreciate the swift action taken by the Burbank Police Department and their additional support in providing patrol surveillance of our school community.
In light of this unfortunate incident, we want to take this opportunity to remind all our students, parents, and guardians about the importance of safety precautions when traveling to and from school. Walking home from school can be a routine part of many students’ daily lives, but it is essential that we take proactive steps to minimize risks and ensure the safety of our students.
Here are some key safety reminders to share with your child:
- Buddy System – Encourage your child to walk home with a friend or a group.
- Stay in public areas – Remind your students to walk in public visible areas. Visibility is crucial.
- Be aware and alert of your surroundings – Encourage your child to not be distracted by their cell phone and earbuds.
- Emergency Contacts – Ensure that your child has access to emergency contact information and knows how to reach out in case of an emergency.
- Report Suspicious Activity – Encourage your child to report any suspicious activity to the school, the Burbank Police Department, or an adult authority figure immediately. It is essential that we all work together to keep our Burbank community safe.
As always, our district remains committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all our students. We will continue to partner with the Burbank Police Department and our Burbank Unified School District officials to address safety concerns and implement measures to enhance security on or around our campuses.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student or if you need support in discussing these important topics with your child, please do not hesitate to contact your school office. Your partnership and collaboration are instrumental in ensuring the safety and well-being of all of our students.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and know that we are here to support you and your child in any way we can.
Thank you,
Burbank Unified School District
