MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
CITY of SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT
200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
LOCAL KUNG FU INSTRUCTOR ARRESTED BY SMPD FOR LEWD ACTS –
SMPD SEEKS THE COMMUNITY’S HELP TO IDENTIFY ANY UNREPORTED VICTIMS
SUSPECT ARRESTED:
Meng Ricky Wong, a 36 year-old Redwood City Resident – Booked into San Mateo County Jail on charges of Lewd Conduct with Minors – 4 counts.
A photo of Wong is attached to this release.
Two young female students came forward and disclosed the exact same type of allegations against Wong (Fondling). The two students were very similar in age and appearance, did not know each other and had been enrolled in Kung Fu at Tat Wong at different times over the past two years. On March 12th 2012, a $100,000 warrant for Wong’s arrest (4 counts of Lewd Acts with a Child) was issued. He was arrested without incident shortly thereafter.
Based on the ongoing case, SMPD Detectives believe that it is possible that Wong may have committed additional lewd acts. SMPD seeks to ensure that there are no unreported victims related to this suspect and his activity. Wong was a Kung Fu instructor at Tat Wong Kung Fu in San Mateo from about 1999 to 2011. The established victims in this investigation are both girls aged nine and eleven, but are of differing ethnic backgrounds.
SMPD is looking to speak with any parents of Tat Wong students in this victim profile (girls aged 8-12) who recall hearing comments from their children indicating that a similar crime may have occurred. SMPD would like to remind the public that interviewing child-victims is an extremely delicate process, for which we use highly trained professionals with the support of victim advocates. We are NOT recommending that parents “interview” their children related to these crimes.
Anyone having information relative to this investigation and/or suspect Meng Ricky Wong is encouraged to contact:
Detective Alex Rizzato of the San Mateo Police Department at 650-522-7669.
Those wishing to provide information anonymously may use the contact information below:
SMPD Investigations Bureau: 522-7650
SMPD Secret Witness hotline: 522-7676
Anonymous Text to SMPD: 262-3473
Anonymous E-Mail to SMPD: [email protected]
Media Follow-Up –
As this involves an ongoing investigation, SMPD has no further public information on this case at this time. Any media follow-up about the investigation to date is directed to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office 650-363-4636
Public Safety Message:
• Straight talk with children works best when discussing the serious topic of personal safety with your children.
• Instill in your children a sense of self-worth and dignity at every opportunity.
• Teach your children basic body awareness (i.e. - the areas of the body that are covered by a bathing suit are “private”).
• Establish that inappropriate touches are against the law. This gives your child confidence to assert themselves with those who try to abuse them.
• Allow children to express affection on their terms. Do not instruct them to give kisses or hugs to people they do not know well.
• Stress that there should be no secrets from you, especially those involving another adult.
• Explain the importance of reporting abuse or attempted abuse to you or another “Trusted Adult.” This would also apply to inappropriate touching.
• Above all, encourage your children to recognize, trust, and follow their instincts about people and situations. Listen to their instincts.
Good Parenting is asking the hard questions and caring about the answers
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This ‘Press Release / Community Information' is being sent to you by The Public Information Office of the San Mateo Police Department. We at the SMPD take pride in alerting our community partners about activities and current events relevant to neighborhood incidents.
