Phoenix police continue their hunt for a serial child predator they said has tried to sexually assault 10 girls since January.

His target area runs from 19th Avenue to Interstate 17, and between Indian School and Camelback roads, according to officials.

©Unknown

Suspect in attempted sexual assault.

However, Sergeant Paul Penzone said he believes the man could start venturing out to other neighborhoods.

"The possibility of him extending beyond that is obviously very likely," he said.

The victims so far have been between the ages of 7 and 17.

Police said this person is brazen, striking at times in broad daylight, right in a girl's frontyard.

The suspect apparently builds trust with his victims first, and then right when they are comfortable with him, he "quickly and aggressively" attacks, using physical force to restrain the girls as he attempts to sexually assault them. In every case, the suspect has not completed the act.

Sergeant Penzone said he "has fled before he was able to actually be able to complete a sexual assault but that does not diminish the threat of the violence involved in the crime or the impact it has on the children."

There have been some cases where he has exposed himself and police said others involve sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse is considered to be touching a person in a sexual manner.

Silent Witness has bumped up its reward from $1,000 to $5,000.

Police said they are worried that each day he roams the streets he will get bolder.

"In a circumstance where time passes, the incidents are coming more often and more likely going to be more aggressive until we are able to apprehend this person," said Sergeant Penzone. "He is brazen enough to take young girls literally in front of their homes or in front of their residences, apartment complexes, or commonly traveled areas."

His advice for parents, "You have to be a parent 24 hours a day and you have to have your children with in your view at all times or at least in the view of other adults who are supervising them."

Experts warn parents to be cautious if they suspect their child might have been victimized by the serial predator.

ChildHelp USA is an organization whose staff works with police and the families of young victims.

Kristi Murphy explains that it can be difficult to get a good story from a young child because of how they remember things. She explains that sometimes children will take other things they have heard and make it part of their memory.

"The child only tells their story once (to interviewers) and it is recorded," she says.

Murphy says it's important for parents to look for warning signs if they suspect their child has been victimized. A sudden change of behavior might be a red flag.

Murphy says it is important that parents remain calm and listen but don't question their child. Leave the questions to professionals.

"We've seen many children," Murphy said. "They are able to heal."

The suspect is described as English-speaking, between 20- and 29-years-old, Native American or Hispanic, heavy-set with a possible "pot belly".

He is clean-cut with hair either combed up or spiked up.

While spotted in several vehicles, police said the most common is a newer model grey 4-door sedan.

Anyone with information should call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.