Police: Man Took Pics Of Girl, Grabbed Her Behind Before Fleeing
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have made an arrest in the case of a man suspected of inappropriately touching a 12-year-old girl.
Police told CBS2 on Sunday night that 24-year-old Xavier Rodriguez is responsible for Wednesday's incident in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx.
Investigators said the girl was walking near Jerome Avenue and West 193rd Street when she said she spotted the man taking pictures of her.
She told officers he then ran up to her, grabbed her behind and ran away.
Residents told CBS2 on Sunday they are taking no chances with their kids.
"All the time I keep my kids next to me," Fordham Manor resident Andres Garcia said. "And I watch them. When I go to the park I'm always watching around."
"Not everywhere is safe and you should be more aware of where you are. And if you see someone strange you should back away," resident Emily Castillo added.
Rodriguez's charges include sexual abuse and forcible touching.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.