Even the relatively safe, suburban city of San Ramon is not immune to the dangers of sexual predators.

Last month, a 17-year-old Cal High senior was walking to school when she noticed a man masturbating in his car alongside her.

The man followed her and she immediately began walking faster toward Cal High. Her gut feeling led her to believe that this man was a sexual deviant.

The girl, who is not being named because she was the victim of a crime, called a friend who was already on campus and later notified her parents who contacted a teacher at Cal.

The teacher then notified school resource Officer Rob Ransom.

The police report classified this case as a suspicious circumstance that occurred on Oct. 8 at 10:40 a.m. on Riviera Drive, one block away from Cal.

The man spotted by the girl is suspected of being a sexual offender, Ransom said. Police continue to search for a man matching the girl’s description.

There are 20 registered sex offenders in San Ramon, including three who live within a two-mile radius of Cal, according to the Megan’s Law Web site.

“He drove by me twice. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen,” said the girl. “I didn’t want him to come back a third time.”

The girl’s mother was impressed by the way that the situation was handled.

“I really appreciated the quick and thoughtful response of the teacher and police officer to protect our daughter,” said the girl’s mother.

Ransom visited the girl at her house and filed a police report.

“We take cases like this very seriously,” said Ransom. “This was a bizarre scenario and this man could very well be a sexual predator.”

This is the first case involving a sexual offender that Ransom has witnessed in his two years of working at Cal.

The girl described the man as heavy-set and in his 50s or 60s with grayish brown hair and a goatee. She was unable to remember the license plate number of the car.

“He will always be on my mind,” said Ransom. “When I am driving through the area, I will always be looking for a blue car matching the description.”

Ransom also suggested visiting the Megan’s Law Web site.

“It’s a great idea,” said Ransom. “It’s a tool created for people to look at. It’s good to know where these guys are.”

Megan’s Law was passed in 1996 and under the law the general public is provided the address, name and crime of registered sex offenders in California. It was named after Megan Kanka, who was raped and murdered by a neighbor who was a known child molester.

“You don’t expect to see the picture of someone living down the street on a sexual predator Web site,” said a friend of the girl.

The Web site features an array of offenders with crimes ranging from harassment to rape.

“Any kind of harassment, sexually related crime, or sexual battery classify a person as a sexual predator,” said Ransom. “Once you are on restraint and featured on the Megan’s Law Web site, you never get off.”

Ransom suggested that if students find themselves in a similar situation they should get to safety and call the local dispatch number at (925) 646-2441. Once in a safe location, students should try to get the vehicle’s license plate number and a description of the person.

For more information regarding Megan’s Law and to locate sexual offenders in the area, log on to www.meganslaw.ca.gov.