A 57-year-old man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of child molestation for allegedly groping a 12-year-old girl near a bus stop in Pasadena, authorities said.
According to the Pasadena Police Department, the girl was sexually assaulted by a man in the 300 block of North Lake Avenue around 7:25 a.m. Wednesday while she was sitting on a bench. The suspect allegedly fled the area on a bicycle, heading south on Lake Avenue.
Police said the girl boarded a bus moments later heading to school, where she contacted her mother.
“The victim, a Pasadena resident, was not injured. Once she arrived at school, she called her mom, who took her home, where she reported it (the alleged assault) to the police department,” police said in a statement.
Detectives later obtained surveillance video, which led to the identification of the person of interest. Farris Tollette, 57, of Palmdale, was detained at about 7 a.m. Saturday and later booked on suspicion of child molestation.
Anyone with information regarding the alleged assault was urged to contact the Pasadena Police Department at 626-744-4241. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.