PHOENIX -- The buzz at one monthly yard sale centers around a child predator terrorizing a central Phoenix neighborhood.

"You just hear a lot of moms talking to other moms about the predator in the neighborhood," said Jodi Tumlinson, a resident.

Police continue to search for a man suspected of trying to assault at least nine girls within a couple of miles of central Phoenix.

The attacker appears to be targeting the Westwood community between Camelback and Indian School roads and Interstate 17 and 19th avenue, police said.

"Normally we put the toys over there so kids can stay away from the street traffic but even the moms are more attentive to what's going on over there,” Tumlinson said. “So, you can feel it."

Residents said they agreed that it doesn't feel good knowing that police believe a man has attempted to sexually assault nine different girls in the area since January, with the most recent on Wednesday night.

"It gives me chills just knowing that there is a guy out there that can do that to little kids," said Scott Quayle, a father.

The situation prompted Quayle to have a sit-down talk with his 7-year-old daughter, Delta.

“He told me there's a man out here that likes to hurt little girls," Delta Quayle said.

She said her father instructed her what to do if approached by a stranger.

"Kick them and scream and run away," she said.

Investigators said the man poses an immediate threat to the safety of children in the community and Silent Witness posted a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the attacker.

Printable composite sketch (.pdf)

The serial predator has targeted children and teens between the ages of 7 to 17, said Sgt. Paul Penzone. He said all of the attacks have occurred between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m.

The man is described as a Native American or Hispanic male and is believed to be between 20 and 29 years old. He is 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs between 180 and 200 pounds.

The attacker has a heavy build with a pot belly, police said. The man has plucked eyebrows, short, spiky dark-brown hair and is clean shaven. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, blue jean shorts and black tennis shoes.