Police: Girl groped in busy store

SNOHOMISH, Wash. — Police say an 11-year-old girl who was groped in a Fred Meyer in Snohomish picked out her attacker from surveillance video.

Now, detectives hope someone can give them a name.
 
"This is the suspect the victim identified," said Shari Ireton, with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, as she played the security tape from last Thursday.  He nervously paces around the exit with a shopping bag, then leaves.
 
"This is how we're going to find our suspect. That's what we're hoping, is the public can help us identify who this is," said Ireton. 
 
According to court papers, the man offered to buy the child liquor and sneak it out of the store.  The girl told officers she froze as he then put his hand down her back pocket.  A female employee saw what was happening and confronted the man, but he took off.  The girl was not hurt.
 
"The last thing you need is a creep running around," said Sheila Jaynes, who owns a women and children's clothing store in the complex.  She recently installed cameras to keep herself and her customers safe.
 
"A lot of kids are here in the afternoon by themselves," said Jaynes.
 
"Usually I let him go look at the toys while I shop around but I definitely won't be doing that," said Amanda Phillips, who shops with her young son.
 
While mothers are startled, officers are concerned the attack happened in the afternoon, in a store, teeming with people.
 
"To have it happen in a public place clearly says that this suspect is bold." Said Ireton.

Want to talk about the news of the day? Watch free streaming video on the KIRO 7 mobile app and iPad app, and join us here on Facebook.

KIRO