LONGVIEW, Wash. — A 41-year-old Longview man was arrested after police say he approached a 12-year-old girl, made inappropriate sexual comments, and grabbed her sweatshirt.
According to the Longview Police Department, at around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, officers received a report that an adult man had approached a 12-year-old girl and made inappropriate sexual comments toward her.
The girl told police that the man approached her in an alley near 7th Avenue, made sexually explicit comments, and asked if she wanted to have sex or smoke marijuana. The girl told investigators the man followed her when she tried to walk away and then grabbed the sleeve of her sweatshirt. She was able to pull away and told him not to touch her.
A nearby resident witnessed part of the encounter and intervened, prompting the man to leave, according to Longview police.
During the encounter, the girl told police that the suspect identified himself by name, leading investigators to identify a 41-year-old Longview man as a possible suspect.
Police located the suspect the following day walking along Vandercook Way. According to investigators, the suspect tried to run when he saw police, but was caught a short distance away.
The victim later positively identified the suspect as the man involved in the incident, police said.
The suspect was arrested and booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on suspicion of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation and communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
The case is under investigation.
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