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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man accused of trying to lure girls near Valley schools

Teens identify suspect from photo montage

A 28-year-old man is accused of trying to lure teenage girls into his car while masturbating near Spokane Valley schools.

Michael J. McBride was arrested just before noon Wednesday after two of three alleged victims identified him from a photo montage.

The investigation began Sept. 22 when a 13-year-old girl said a man stopped his car near East Marietta Avenue and North Center Road and asked if she wanted a ride home. The girl said she saw that the man was masturbating and ran away, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Another 13-year-old girl reported a similar incident Sept. 24 while walking home north of Orchard Center Elementary School, 7519 E. Buckeye Ave.

Then on Sept. 30, a 16-year-old girl told police she had been biking in the area of North Girard Road and East Bridgeport Avenue on Sept. 12 when she was approached by a man in a car who was masturbating. The license plate number she provided traced back to a 1997 Subaru Legacy registered to McBride.

Also on Sept. 30, a 911 caller reported a man had returned to the area of 8300 East Buckeye after trying to get a 14-year-old girl into his car.

A sheriff’s deputy responded to the area and saw a Subaru make a U-turn at East Euclid Avenue and North Dick Road.

The driver, McBride, said he’d dropped off a student whom he couldn’t name. He was cited for driving while suspended and failure to provide proof of insurance.

Two alleged victims identified him Tuesday.

“Although the third victim did not identify the suspect by face, she accurately described his white Subaru that had black bumpers, hood, wheels and door trim,” according to a news release.

McBride was arrested at his apartment in the 8900 block of East Broadway Avenue. He faces two felony counts of luring and three misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure.

Deputy Ed Cashman, a school resource deputy for the West Valley School District, investigated the case.

Cashman “stressed the importance of having students walk to and from school with a friend or fellow student, especially as the days grow shorter and darker this fall,” according to a news release. “He also noted that it is important for parents to discuss this type of activity with their children before they become potential victims.”