Police on lookout for senior citizen who groped teen cashier

Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald:

Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: A teenage cashier at Walmart reported being assaulted by a senior citizen.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – A 16-year-old Walmart cashier said she was inappropriately touched by a senior citizen customer Dec. 30, 2018, and police would like to question him about it.

An officer was initially dispatched to the victim’s residence at about 11:14 a.m. regarding the incident. The victim advised the incident had taken place earlier in the day and she was currently at home on a break.

Contributed Photo/Courtesy SPD: The Safford Police Department would like assistance in identifying this man. He is suspected of groping a cashier at Walmart.

She said she was operating a cash register when a male customer came through her line and complimented her appearance and said, “you are a pretty girl” and “you should get married.”

While paying for his items, the man – who appeared to be more than 60 years old according to the officer’s opinion upon viewing surveillance footage – requested the victim gather the required 43 cents of change from his outstretched hand. As she accepted payment, the man brushed his right hand against the victim’s breast. The victim pushed the suspect’s hand away and he finished paying and left the store. Surveillance footage showed the suspect leaving in a silver, four-door car that was parked in a handicapped space.  

At the time the police report was released, the male subject has yet to be identified. The officer attached the surveillance video to his report and forwarded it to Safford detectives to pursue. The case is pending identification of the suspect.