Detectives with the Gwinnett County Police Department Special Victims Unit are asking for the public's help as they search for a man accused of inappropriately touching a young teenage girl as she was shopping on New Year's Day.
"The incident occurred on Wednesday, January 1, at the Burlington Coat Factory at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway in unincorporated Lawrenceville at around 6 p.m.," said Gwinnett Police Cpl. Michele Pihera in an email statement issued Monday, Jan. 13. "The girl eventually told her mother who reported the incident to the store manager."
Pihera said the 13-year-old victim told an officer who responded to the scene that the man rubbed his crotch against her as she was kneeling down looking at some clothing.
Pihera said the girl told the officer the man tried to engage in conversation with her, asking her age.
"The quick-thinking girl used her phone and captured a picture of the man," Pihera said. "The man is about 5 feet 6 inches with dark hair. According to the photo, he is wearing a dark blue windbreaker jacket with three white stripes. The jacket has grey lining."
Pihera said anyone who has information on the man is asked to GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. The case number is 20-000201.
