Boise Police: Man found following children home from school with pants undone, exposed

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A Boise man is facing a felony stalking charge after being found near a child's home.

The Boise Police Department said officers received reports of a man possibly following children in his vehicle as they walked home from school. Witnesses said the man was acting suspiciously near Vista Avenue and Overland Road.

Officers responded but were not able to find him that day. Working with the Boise School District, officers stepped up patrols during school hours and when school was let out.

On Friday, Jan. 17, officers found a vehicle matching the description of the man seen earlier in the week. Officers said they were looking for a blue Honda CRV with a spare tire on the back and a Honda spare tire cover.

Officers said the car drove past a child's home twice before trying to leave. That's when officers pulled over the car. Police said they found 62-year-old Steven Roach in the car with his pants undone, exposing himself.

Officers arrested Roach on a first-degree stalking charge and a misdemeanor indecent exposure charge. The Boise Police Special Victims Unit helped with the case.

Roach is accused of driving by elementary schools on several occasions after school and watching children walk home, according to police. Officials are looking for more information about prior suspicious activity involving Roach.

If you have any information, call BPD Special Victim’s Unit Detective Griffin at 208-577-4432.

The Boise Police Department has tips for families and children to keep safe as they are going to and from school:

• Make sure your child knows their full name, important contact information for you and their address or school name. This may help ease fear in kids who become lost or scared in an emergency.
• Parents should periodically walk the route their child takes to school and encourage children to not take shortcuts or walk alone.
• Establish a list of trusted adults your child is safe to leave a location with. Discuss this list with your child and form a family password that allows you to utilize a person to pick up your child in an emergency. A code word, with a familiar face, will make your child feel comfortable leaving with them. Periodically review this list with your child.
• Help kids identify safe people who can help them in the event they get lost or scared. Frequently teach kids about safe locations in your neighborhood or near their school they can go to in an emergency.
• Educate and review often with your child about various tactics predators may try to get kids to enter a stranger’s vehicle, open the door at home or meet up after chatting online.
• Encourage your child to trust their gut instincts and share with you anything that makes them feel scared, worried or uncomfortable.